ASSESSING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN DISTRICT HOSPITALS OF RWANDA
Keywords:
healthcare waste, occupational health, PPE, waste management, healthcare workers
Abstract
Healthcare waste presents a persistent threat to occupational health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where waste management systems often face resource and enforcement challenges. In Rwanda, despite national policy frameworks, healthcare workers remain vulnerable to these hazards. This study evaluates the occupational health risks associated with healthcare waste in Rwanda’s district hospitals and proposes strategies to strengthen worker protection. A secondary data review was undertaken, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, WHO guidelines, and Rwanda’s National Healthcare Waste Management Plan 2021–2025. Data were thematically analyzed to identify predominant risks, systemic gaps, and opportunities for improvement. The findings reveal that healthcare workers are exposed to diverse hazards, including needle-stick injuries, blood-borne infections, chemical exposures, and psychosocial stress. Key weaknesses include inadequate waste segregation, inconsistent supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), and insufficient training. These challenges mirror patterns across sub-Saharan Africa, where limited resources and weak policy enforcement heighten occupational risks. While Rwanda has established strong policy commitments, implementation gaps persist. Addressing these requires reinforcing waste segregation systems, ensuring reliable PPE provision, expanding staff training, and embedding a culture of safety. Strengthening these measures is essential not only to protect healthcare workers but also to advance sustainable healthcare waste management in similar contexts globally.
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References
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Factors, R., Needlestick, O. F., Among, S. I., Care, H., At, W., & Tertiary, S. (2021). J u r n a l B e r k a l a. 9(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.20473/jbe.v9i12021.36
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Gahutu, J. B. (2019). Medical waste management. Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2(3), 212. https://doi.org/10.4314/rjmhs.v2i3.1
Gove, P. A. J., & Bojang, O. A. (2025). Healthcare Waste Management in Low-Income Countries: Lessons from High-Income Models - A Comparative Analysis of Mozambique and Shanghai. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 13(5), 3525–3534. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2025.70876
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Islam, M. (2023). The Management of Medical Waste in Bangladesh: A Policy and Practices Analysis. September. https://research.tees.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/79890614/PhD_Thesis_Medical_Waste_Management_policy_and_Practices_Md_Islam.pdf
Islam, M. T., Rafi, M. A., & Hasan, M. J. (2025). Knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers on solid medical waste management in two urban hospitals of Bangladesh: a mixed-method study. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 44(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00748-y
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Published
2026-02-27
How to Cite
Philbert Iradukunda. (2026). ASSESSING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN DISTRICT HOSPITALS OF RWANDA. Journal of Social Political Sciences, 7(1), 139-161. https://doi.org/10.52166/jsps.v7i1.304
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Copyright (c) 2026 Philbert Iradukunda
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