Number of patients, nature of medical services offered and hospital size influences generation of hospital wastewater. Partially and non-treated hospital wastewater is managed together with municipal wastewater. Management of hospital wastewater is impeded by shortage of resources, lack of co-ordination among responsible authorities and ineffective legal framework enforcement, among other challenges. Inappropriate hospital wastewater management results in environmental contamination, causing human ailments. Attainment of sustainable hospital wastewater management requires clearly defined and enforced legislation, collaboration of accountable stakeholders, sufficient resources and enhanced awareness of involved stakeholders. Application of technologies that uphold recycling and reuse of wastewater is essential to reach Sustainable Development Goals, Zimbabwe Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 targets, particularly those dealing with environmental protection while upholding human health.
Keyphrases
- human health
- wastewater treatment
- healthcare
- risk assessment
- anaerobic digestion
- acute care
- adverse drug
- climate change
- mental health
- end stage renal disease
- chronic kidney disease
- newly diagnosed
- public health
- prognostic factors
- electronic health record
- patient reported outcomes
- men who have sex with men
- hiv testing
- human immunodeficiency virus