Mozambique Program for Healthcare facility waste treatment

Principal Investigator

Stuart Batterman

Funding Sources

Centers for Disease Control

About this Project

This project is upgrading the waste management and control program for hospital and medical waste in Mozambique, a part of the JHPIEGO Mozambique Program in infection prevention and controlIn health care settings, occupational exposure to blood and body fluids puts health care providers at risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Of the 35 million health workers worldwide, about three million are exposed to such pathogens each year through percutaneous injuries (from syringes and other sharp instruments). These accidents may result in 15,000 HCV, 70,000 HBV and 500 HIV infections. And more than 90% of these infections occur in developing countries, where health workers often lack the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to protect themselves and their clients from becoming infected. Fortunately, health care-related infections, like other occupational hazards, are largely preventable, as shown by the low rates of such infections in countries that have engaged in serious infection prevention efforts-including training of health workers in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, HBV immunization, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, improved waste management and other measures. Ensuring that health facilities are safe and healthy places, for clients/patients and health workers, is a high priority for the health industry worldwide. It is particularly relevant in countries that face a significant shortage of health care personnel-the human resources for health-who are essential for delivering high-quality health services and achieving the countries' health goals. These countries cannot afford to continue to lose health workers because of illness, disability or premature death from becoming infected, or from fear of becoming infected. This work addresses the development of capacity for handling hospital waste and general waste management issues. (Adapted from JHPIEGO http://www.jhpiego.org/whatwedo/ipc.htm)