Waste management in Cameroon: A new policy perspective?

Manga, Veronica E.; Forton, Osric Tening; Read, Adam D.

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2007.07.003

Cited by 77 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Waste is burnt in pits situated within the facility. Burning in waste pits releases toxic gases into the air that could endanger the ecosystem (Manga et al, 2008;Muchungong, 2010). In the Northwest region of Cameroon, poor waste management practices observed in some health care facilities has been attributed to lack of sufficient awareness on environmental and public health impacts of poor clinical waste disposal (Muchungong, 2010) and most health workers were not aware of the existence of policy-national or international-on safe clinical waste management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical waste management and disposal practices of health facilities in Kumbo East and Kumbo West health districts

Dzekashu¹,

Akoachere²,

Mbacham³

2017

Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.

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The provision of healthcare generates waste which can be detrimental to health and the environment. Management of healthcare waste is still a challenge in developing countries as practices, capacities and policies on waste disposal are grossly inadequate and require intensification. With the growing trend of biomedical services in Kumbo Cameroon, the medical waste management practices in this area was investigated to generate data that could guide policy in planning for an effective and sustainable waste management program. A qualitative cross sectional study was conducted in 30 of the 52 health facilities in study area. Participating facilities were selected by convenience sampling and personnel by random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and direct field observations and results analyzed using SPSS V 17.0. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Participants aware of the existence of a national policy guide on waste management were mostly administrators (66.7%). Only 2 (6.6%) health facilities had a copy of this document. None of the participating facilities kept records of their medical waste management practices. All participants were aware of the health risk of healthcare waste. Use of PPE varied among participants and was highest among employed waste handlers (EWH) (100%) and laboratory technicians (100%) while the lowest (69%) was among pharmacy attendants. Gloves were the most commonly used PPE. Most of the EWH (55.6%) used examination gloves which was inappropriate. Not all participants segregated or disinfected waste. Waste bins were not colour-coded and all facilities had appropriate safety boxes for sharps. In 86.7% of health facilities, waste disposal was by burning in pits located within 400 m away from the facility. These pits were not protected from scavengers. Only 4 facilities had incinerators and all did not meet the required standards, as none was equipped with a scrubber. Even after segregation at the point of generation, wastes were mixed at the point of final disposal. Waste management practices in study site did not meet standard practices. There is an urgent need for proper medical waste management in Kumbo East and Kumbo West to minimise threats to human health and the environment. Regular supervision and enforcement of policy on medical waste management is paramount.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical waste management and disposal practices of health facilities in Kumbo East and Kumbo West health districts

Dzekashu¹,

Akoachere²,

Mbacham³

2017

Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.

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“…This growth is occurring in a period during which the country has been experiencing socio-economic pressures that have led to a decline in economic growth. Since the mid 1980s the fall in oil prices followed by the National Structural Adjustment Programs of the early nineties have resulted in a serious crisis in financial resources [9]. As a result, the Government considerably reduced its investments and subsidies in the urban sector.…”

Section: Overview Of Cameroonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite Government efforts to create and implement legislation related to sustainable waste management, the current policy framework is not efficient. An inadequate legislative framework is a key reason for the lack of effective engagement of industry, commerce and the general public in more sustainable waste management practices [9].…”

Section: Structure Of Waste Management In Cameroonmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Waste Characterization as an Element of Household Waste Management Operations: A Case Study in Limbe, Cameroon

Mbeng

Phillips

Fairweather

2012

TOWMJ

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Abstract:The development of sustainable waste management practice in Cameroon requires that waste characterization, composition and arisings, are used as a tool for waste planning and practice for household waste. Therefore to obtain accurate data that will drive improved waste management planning and operations in Limbe -Cameroon-a waste characterization study was undertaken, in a case study area (February and April of 2008), to underpin future strategy and planning. The study took account of seasonality -a vital issue for Cameroon. To take account of societal issues, the study included the high (HIRA), medium (MIRA) and low income residential areas (LIRA), for household waste in the case study area in Limbe. In the study, it was found that waste generation per capita was low for both seasons (dry and wet), HIRA (0.66 kg and 0.76 kg), MIRA (0.58 kg and 0.65 kg) and LIRA (0.53 kg and 0.60 kg), compared to cities in other developing countries in Africa. It was found that the waste stream was predominantly purtrescible and contained few recyclable materials. This study has demonstrated that the characterization and determination of composition and arisings, of household waste is the first step required for the successful design of sustainable waste management strategy and practice.

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“…In developing countries, there is little data on generation and types of waste. Quantities of waste are in most cases lower in the developing countries because of a lower propensity to consume as well as extensive scavenging and salvage by beggars and the very poor [26][27][28][29]. Densities of wastes are higher in developing countries because of the lower amounts of paper, plastic, glass, and packaging materials and hence a greater concentration of putrescible matter [16,25,[28][29][30][31][32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Enterprise Profile and Composition of Solid Waste Generated in the Informal Sector of Gweru, Zimbabwe

Jerie

2014

Journal of Waste Management

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This paper examines the characteristics of solid waste generated in the informal sector enterprises of Gweru, the third largest city in Zimbabwe. Samples from the informal sector enterprises were collected in plastic bags and labelled with unique identity marks. The segregated components were measured to determine percentages of total weight of a sample. The data collected during the two seasons were analysed statistically using ANOVA to identify key similarities and differences. The major components of the waste stream include food and vegetable wastes in the market areas (from 18 to 51% of total weight), metals in the industrial areas (from 19 to 36%), and paper in the residential suburbs and markets (9-11% of total weight). The biodegradable waste stream dominates in the market areas of Kudzanai and Kombayi where it constitutes an average of 57.1% of waste generated in these areas. Establishing biodegradability of solid waste is essential because the majority of environmental and health problems associated with waste generated in the enterprises are caused by the biodegradable components. In order to come up with a sustainable and comprehensive waste management plan for the informal sector of Gweru, an up-to-date database on the composition and characteristics of the waste is a primary requirement.

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Waste management in Cameroon: A new policy perspective?

Cited by 77 publications

References 9 publications

Medical waste management and disposal practices of health facilities in Kumbo East and Kumbo West health districts

Medical waste management and disposal practices of health facilities in Kumbo East and Kumbo West health districts

Waste Characterization as an Element of Household Waste Management Operations: A Case Study in Limbe, Cameroon

Analysis of Enterprise Profile and Composition of Solid Waste Generated in the Informal Sector of Gweru, Zimbabwe

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