An Assessment of Medical Waste Management in Bawku Presbyterian Hospital of the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Francis Abugri AKUM, Ghana (MPH, CEMBA, PhD Public Health Student of Texila American University)
Email: akumfrancis@gmail.com Mob: +233 244 767 431

Abstract
Background
Medical waste unlike other ordinary waste poses serious health risk to the handlers, health staff, patients and the community. The area of medical waste management is neglected in most health care facilities in Ghana. The main objective of the study was to assess the Medical Waste management practices in Bawku Presbyterian Hospital of the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Methods
The study used structured questionnaires, observation checklist and key informant interview guide to collect data from management staff and waste workers.

Results
It was observed that there was low knowledge about medical waste among waste workers. Medical waste is not segregated, waste containers not coded/labelled, no secured storage area for waste, no budget specifically for medical waste management and no waste management manual in the hospital.

Conclusion
This study has shown that, waste management in the hospital is poor and has health implications to the handlers, staff, patients and visitors.

Keywords: medical waste, Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, waste segregation, waste storage.

Introduction
Health care services generates waste just like other human activities which has to be managed and dispose in a safe manner to avoid or reduce risks it poses to the health of the healthcare providers, clients and the community within the operational area.
In the management of waste, a healthcare waste has the higher priority due to their hazardous nature. According to World Health Organization (WHO) some part of healthcare wastes are considered most hazardous that can affect human health and pollute