Medical Waste Management in Primary HealthCare Centers and Private Clinics: Jenin District as a Case Study

This study was carried out during the period from March to October 2007 in Jenin district, aimed to review the current situation of the management of the medical wastes (M.W.) that is generated in the primary health care centers (PHCs) and private clinics (Pr.C.). The study showed in Jenin district lack of administration of medical waste capabilities, technical and financial ability for a good and strong management of medical wastes, and lack of joint cooperation between the governmental organizations responsible for the health sector in Jenin district as Ministry of Heath, Ministry of Local Governance, Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority and other organizations. The study showed also that most workers in the public services sector do not follow the proper methods of transferring of medical waste, indicating urgent need for the education and training on a right basis and safe methods for the dealing process with medical wastes. The second part of this study shows that PHCs generate an average 0.830 kg. Of medical waste per primary health care center per day, where was the average of generated medical waste of private clinic about 0.350 kg. per private clinics per day. Therefore, the annual generation rate of MW in Jenin district from primary health care centers and private clinics could reach more than 61 tons / year of hazardous materials generated in the district. These results indicate a clear evidence for the need for a good management of medical wastes in Jenin district that can preserve the human health and the clean environment.