Survey of medical waste characterization and management in Iran: a case study of Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Medical waste management has not received enough attention in recent decades in Iran, as is the case in most economically developing countries. This study investigated the quantities, generation rate, quality and composition of medial waste generated by hospitals in Sistan and Baluchestan province in Iran. A comprehensive inspection survey was performed for 14 hospitals located in the study area. Field visits were conducted to provide information on the different medical waste management aspects. The total number of beds in the hospitals was 2139, and the anticipated quantity of medical waste generated by these hospitals was about 6100 kg day(-1). The results indicated that the medical waste generation rate for total waste, infectious waste, general waste and sharp waste were 2.76, 1.36, 1.37 and 0.042 kg bed(-1) day(-1), respectively, which was comprised of 51.6% of infectious waste, 47.2% general waste and 1.2% sharps waste. The most frequently used treatment practice for solid medical waste was disposal in an unsanitary dumpsite after open burning. The results also showed that segregation of various medical waste types in the hospitals had not been conducted properly. The study revealed the need for training and capacity building programmes for all employees involved in management of the medical waste.