Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Rubina Moin.
Evaluation and comparison of private and public sector incinerators of Rawalpindi and Islamabad hospitals.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;2(2):25-30.

Introduction: Improper disposal of medical wastes is an important public health issue in developing countries. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the prevailing practices of operation, maintenance and management of incinerators in private and public settings in accordance with PEPA guidelines. Methods: An observational descriptive study carried out in three hospitals (Holy family hospital Rawalpindi, Shifa International Hospital Islamabad and Fauji Foundation hospital Rawalpindi). Data was self collected by interviewing staff through structured questionnaire. Personal observations were made through a self developed check list according to PEPA guidelines and information given in questionnaire was counter checked. Results: The study revealed that the incinerators installed both in public and private hospitals are not working 100% according to PEPA guidelines. The incinerator in holy family hospital is best and it\'s working in accordance closer to PEPA guidelines. Risk waste generation is highest in Shifa hospital and marked deficiencies are observed in design,construction, sitting, operation and maintenance of incinerator including low temperature, non-functional scrubber system emission of dark smoke and obnoxious gases in environment. In Fauji Foundation hospital, the specifications and working of incinerator do not meet PEPA recommendation and incinerator is working at low temperature without wet scrubber polluting environment with smoke and hazardous gases. Conclusion: The study concluded that working of incinerators is in accordance with PEPA Guidelines in public hospital, while the incinerators in private hospital are not following PEPA guidelines. Low quality incinerators, wrong operating practices and poor monitoring by PEPA are the main problems for healthcare waste management.

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