Over 38,000 tons of hospital waste produced annually in Morocco

Moroccan public and private hospitals and other health facilities produce annually 38,225 tons of waste, said an executive at the health ministry.

Speaking at an international colloquy on environment, chaired by princess Lalla Hasna, The head of the hospital and roving health care at the health ministry, said studies revealed an average 3 kg of waste for each bed. Hospitals produce various types of waste: household waste, hospital waste and dangerous waste.

The study also found that hospital waste can be dangerous and could cause a biologic or chemical epidemic, in addition to serious injuries that can be caused by cutting items.

Hospital waste are collected randomly and carried to an open area and are left there for a span of time that exceeds the norms (48 hours). Hospital waste incineration is only practiced by a restricted number of hospitals.

According to the association of pharmaceutical industry, private hospitals alone in Casablanca produce a total of 3,000 tons.

The health ministry says it has developed a national waste management and processing strategy consisting in separating hospital from household waste.

Last June, the princess had also launched a pilot project to processing cutting waste in the Mohammed V hospital.