Innovating for better treatment : the circular economy for the sustainable management of medical waste

Abstract

The hospital sector generates a substantial quantity of waste daily due to the nature of activities and medical care provided within it. These wastes can be categorized into different classes based on their nature and level of hazardousness. The ongoing shifts in demographics and medical technology contribute to an incessant increase in the generation of medical and pharmaceutical wastes (MPW), underscoring the significance of establishing efficient MPW management practices.

Our study aims to examine the implementation of circular economy principles and MPW management in the Moroccan healthcare sector. To achieve this, we conducted an exploratory study within the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center (CHU Mohammed VI-Oujda). Key findings demonstrate that the circular economy approach significantly enhances MPW management within CHU Mohammed VI-Oujda. The paramount conclusion drawn from our research underscores the critical necessity of fortifying MPW management as a prerequisite for ensuring a sustainable evolution of the healthcare sector.