Impact of Biomedical Waste on the Lao Community Environment: A Case Study of Vientiane Capital, Laos

Abstract

This article analyzes and investigates “the Impact of Biomedical Waste on the Lao Community Environment, focusing on Vientiane Capital”, based on academic literature and regulations on hospitals and human rights in the community. In today's impact of biomedical waste management segregation and the factors influencing biomedical waste management, particularly segregation procedures. A high proportion of incorrectly segregated biomedical waste was found at each level of healthcare facility. Re-segregation revealed 39 percent at the central hospitals, 62 percent at the provincial hospitals, 57 percent at the district hospitals, and 37 percent at the health center in the community level, respectively, were poorly segregated. A higher proportion of biomedical waste from the inpatient department at the primary healthcare level was found. Thus, biomedical waste management at primary healthcare facilities needs more attention and should be better understood. Therefore, this article aims to study the legal framework implementation on impact of biomedical waste in community environment, and sets the basic concepts and definitions related to biomedical waste management, including definitions of waste, recycling and recovery, transportation, treatment and disposal, preventing medical waste is the preferred option, and sending waste to landfill for disposal should be the last resort.Many cities in Laos are facing the problem of biomedical waste management in the wake of urban development. The number of healthcare facilities is increasing day by day resulting in large-scale generation of biomedical waste. It has been observed that inadequate disposal of biomedical waste is creating a highly unhygienic environment and posing a serious health threat for inhabitants. This article discusses the issue of biomedical waste management in Laos from a wider perspective with special emphasis on the legal framework for biomedical waste management in the present context under domestic legislation and regulations, and international conventions related to environmental protection. Based on a study conducted in Vientiane Capital, which is the largest city in Laos. It is aimed to put forth the importance of adequate handling and treatment of biomedical waste with reference to healthy and hygienic living environment for inhabitants to live in.

Keywords: Biomedical Waste, the National; International Legislation, Regulations, Vientiane

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/135-03

Publication date:August 31^st 2023