Pakistan's Medical Waste: A Silent Threat Unveiled

Improper disposal of medical waste in Pakistani hospitals raises alarm over potential health and environmental hazards. Experts highlight risks from recycling hazardous materials, sparking calls for stringent waste management regulations.

Hospitals across Pakistan are under scrutiny as improper disposal of medical waste has been linked to public health and environmental concerns. The Express Tribune reports that hazardous materials from healthcare facilities, including operating theatres and laboratories, are being discarded recklessly and entering the unregulated recycling industry.

This medical waste, classified as infectious, comprises used syringes, bloodstained dressings, and expired pharmaceuticals, which ideally require segregation and disposal through incineration or sterilization. However, in cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi, healthcare institutions are reportedly failing to implement proper waste management protocols.

Professor Munawar Sabir from Punjab University warns that recycling medical plastics poses health risks due to potential contamination. Experts emphasize the increased transmission risk of diseases like hepatitis B and C due to insufficiently managed disposal practices, urging immediate regulatory actions. (ANI)