MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN TURKEY

Medical waste management is a significant problem in Turkey due to its infectious and hazardous nature that can cause undesirable effects on humans and on the environment. The aim of this study was to present the current situation of medical waste management in Turkey based on the research by the study authors and other investigations conducted by previous research into some important settlement units and the recent situation with legal regulations and legislation in Turkey. It analyses the issues and current shortcomings faced by many hospitals in the country in implementing the required medical waste management practices. The results indicated that 81 million tons of medical waste are generated annually. About 67,2% of the collected medical waste was disposed of in sanitary landfill sites after being sterilized and 5,5 tons of medical waste was disposed of in municipal dumping sites without sterilization in Turkey.