Responsible waste management at every stage.
1. Policy Statement
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible management of all waste generated across Nisa Medical Group facilities. It applies to hospitals, clinics, visitors and the wider community, from health-hazard risks associated with improper waste handling, while ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all Nisa Medical Group facilities, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories and administrative offices. It covers all categories of waste generated during healthcare delivery, research and administrative operations.
3. Policy Statement
Nisa Medical Group is committed to minimising the generation of waste, segregating waste at source and ensuring that all waste is handled, transported and disposed of in a manner that prevents harm to people and the environment. The group will:
- Promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
- Ensure proper segregation and labelling of all waste streams.
- Comply with relevant national environmental and healthcare waste-control regulations.
- Train all personnel involved in waste handling on best practices and safety protocols.
4. Categories of Waste
- General (Non Clinical) Waste: Office waste, packaging, food waste and similar materials not contaminated with infectious substances.
- Infectious Waste: Waste contaminated with blood, body fluids or cultures.
- Sharps Waste: Needles, syringes, blades and other sharp objects.
- Pathological Waste: Human tissues, organs and other body parts.
- Chemical Waste: Disinfectants, laboratory reagents and heavy metals.
- Pharmaceutical Waste: Expired, unused or leftover drugs and vaccines.
- Radioactive Waste: Waste containing radionuclides from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
- E-Waste: Obsolete electronic devices, batteries and cables.
5. Waste Segregation and Handling
Waste shall be segregated at the point of generation using colour-coded, labelled containers as specified by applicable biomedical-waste-management and healthcare-waste-control regulations.
- Black: General or non-infectious waste, including food remains, wrappings, tissue roll and paper.
- Yellow: Infectious waste, including gloves, aprons, swabs, bandages and other objects in contact with body fluids.
- Red: Highly infectious waste, including blood bags, dressings, placenta, organ parts, specimen bottles, chemical waste and sharps boxes.
- Blue: Non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste, including vaccines, pharmaceutical products and expired or unused drugs.
6. Storage and Transportation
- Each facility shall have a waste-storage area that is secure, ventilated and easily cleanable.
- Waste must be transported in sealed containers or trolleys using designated internal routes to minimise contamination.
- External transporters, where engaged, must be licensed and compliant with environmental regulations.
7. Treatment and Disposal
- Infectious and pathological waste shall be treated by incineration.
- Sharps shall be treated and rendered non-reusable before disposal.
- Pharmaceutical waste shall be returned to suppliers where applicable or handled through approved channels.
- Chemical waste shall be neutralised or disposed of through approved hazardous-waste channels.
- General waste shall be collected by accredited municipal waste contractors.
- A waste consignment note shall be used where required to document receipt, disposal and traceability.
8. Occupational Health and Safety
- All waste handlers shall be provided with personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, aprons and boots.
- Staff must be trained on infection prevention, spill management and emergency procedures.
- Regular immunisation, including Hepatitis B where appropriate, shall be provided for waste-management personnel.
9. Training and Awareness
- All employees shall undergo orientation and periodic refresher training on waste segregation and handling procedures.
- Posters and colour-coded signage shall be displayed at all waste-generation points.
10. Monitoring and Compliance
- The Health, Safety and Environment Officer shall oversee waste-management practices alongside the Infection Prevention and Control team.
- Regular audits and inspections shall be conducted to ensure compliance.
- Non-compliance shall be addressed through corrective actions and staff retraining.
11. Continuous Improvement
Nisa Medical Group will regularly review and update this policy to reflect current best practices, regulatory changes and technological advancements in healthcare waste management.