AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF INCINERATION AS A MEANS OF HEALTHCARE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Healthcare waste (HCW) is a residual outcome of healthcare practices. The primary origins of healthcare waste (HCW) are hospitals, clinics, labs, blood banks, and mortuaries. While the majority of healthcare waste, ranging from 75% to 90%, is comparable to regular home garbage, a smaller portion of around 10% to 25% is classified as healthcare risk waste (HCRW). HCRW encompasses a range of waste types, including infectious waste, pathological and anatomical waste, hazardous pharmaceutical and chemical waste, pressurised containers, sharps, extremely infectious waste, genotoxic/cytotoxic waste, and radioactive waste. Improper management of HCRW, while it constitutes a tiny percentage of the overall volume, may have negative impacts on patients, healthcare staff, the community, and the environment, as stated by the World Health Organisation in 2015. According to a study by Oli et al. (2016), it was predicted that more than 23 million cases of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV infections were occurring each year globally as a result of using needles that were contaminated. Consequently, HCRW need specific management and therapy.Incineration has been extensively used as a means of controlling healthcare waste, primarily because of its efficacy in lowering waste volume and eradicating infections (Afon, Afolabi, Agbabiaka & Akinbinu, 2017). The method involves the incineration of waste materials at high temperatures, resulting in a substantial reduction in waste volume and the elimination of hazardous components. Nevertheless, incineration has difficulties, namely regarding environmental and health issues. Combustion may result in the release of harmful substances, including dioxins and furans, and the production of ash residues that need to be disposed of with caution (Dereje, Tadese, Yared, & Getasew, 2020). The discussion about the utilisation of incineration is further intricate because to its economic ramifications. Although incineration has the ability to decrease waste volume and perhaps decrease long-term disposal expenses, the initial setup and operations costs may be significant. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about the ecological consequences of incineration emissions and the long-term viability of this waste management approach. Given these complexities, it is crucial to critically investigate  the effect and management  of  the improper disposal of healthcare waste in Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Healthcare facilities produce substantial amounts of waste, a considerable portion of which is dangerous and may pose threats to human health and the environment if not appropriately handled (WHO, 2018). The conventional approaches to managing healthcare waste, such as open burning and landfilling, have been shown to be insufficient in tackling these issues since they have the ability to emit toxic chemicals and damage soil and water sources (Akter, 2021). Incineration has been suggested as a feasible solution to these problems, with the ability to substantially decrease the amount of trash and eliminate germs (Almuneef & Memish, 2015). Nevertheless, there are worries about the environmental consequences of incineration, including the release of harmful gases and the production of ash deposits (Giusti, 2019). The effectiveness and safety of incineration as a method of managing healthcare waste are still being debated, despite its widespread usage. Hence, the study investigate the effect and management  of  the improper disposal of healthcare waste in Cameroon.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to investigate  the use of incineration as a means of healthcare waste management in Cameroon. The specific objectives is as follows

To examine the reason for the use of incineration as a means of healthcare waste management in Cameroon

To assess the environmental impact of emissions generated by healthcare waste incineration in Cameroon

To assess the challenges associated with the implementation of incineration technologies in healthcare facilities in Cameroon.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepaared to guide the study

What are the reason for the use of incineration as a means of healthcare waste management in Cameroon?

What is the environmental impact of emissions generated by healthcare waste incineration in Cameroon?

What are the challenges associated with the implementation of incineration technologies in healthcare facilities in Cameroon?

1.5 Significance of the study

Findings of the study will be significant to policy-makers and the development of best practices for healthcare waste management as it will evaluate the environmental and health impacts of incineration, the study could contribute to the establishment of more robust regulatory frameworks that ensure safe and sustainable waste disposal practices. The study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature and serve as a guide to future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focus on investigating the use of incineration as a means of healthcare waste management in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will examine the reason for the use of incineration as a means of healthcare waste management in Cameroon, assess the environmental impact of emissions generated by healthcare waste incineration in Cameroon and assess the challenges associated with the implementation of incineration technologies in healthcare facilities in Cameroon.

Geographically, the study is delimited to central hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraints are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research alongside other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Healthcare Waste: Waste generated by healthcare activities, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and other medical facilities. This waste may include hazardous materials, such as infectious agents, toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and sharps (WHO, 2018).

Incineration: A waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration reduces the volume of waste and can destroy hazardous components, but it may also produce emissions and ash residues (Giusti, 2009).

Hazardous Waste: Waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. Hazardous waste includes materials that are toxic, corrosive, reactive, or infectious. Pathogens: Microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants. In healthcare waste, pathogens may be present in biological materials like blood or tissue (Almuneef & Memish, 2003).

Emissions: Gases and particulate matter released into the atmosphere as a result of combustion processes, including incineration. These emissions may contain pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), dioxins, and heavy metals