It is disturbing to note that only 6.6 percent of Covid-19 medical waste including masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are properly managed and the remaining 93 percent wastes are just thrown here and there absurdly.
Scattering of used protective gears and used face masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are posing a serious health hazard in the capital.
A section of negligent people throws masks and other safety stuffs here and there flouting repeated warning from the government. On top of that, most of the hospitals in the country are giving treatment to coronavirus infected patients without following proper rules and regulations concerning dumping of the infectious medical waste.
Covid-19 medical wastes, if not properly
disposed, will certainly fuel the transmission
of the rogue virus
It needs no mentioning that Bangladesh was already grappling with poor medical waste management before the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, it is at risk of being hit hard by a sudden onslaught of Covid-19 medical waste.
Experts are of the opinion that if Covid-19 medical wastes are not treated properly, germs and virus can enter the food cycle through soil and water. This could lead to calamitous disasters.
Covid-19 waste is more contagious than any other medical waste. If not properly disposed, Covid-19 medical wastes will certainly fuel the transmission of the rogue virus. Indeed, it is very risky to leave these wastes in open spaces.
Experts assert that Covid-19 medical waste must be burned under controlled environment at more than 700 degree Celsius, and the gas should be released into the environment after filtering harmful particles.
However, since we have not been able to develop our medical waste management systems up to this point, we have to treat our medical wastes very carefully with whatever limited resources we have. Indeed, more resources and public awareness are urgently needed to ensure discarded medical waste does not make the coronavirus pandemic worse.
