Optimization of medical waste management systems in community health centers: Challenges, strategies, and sustainable solutions

Abstract

Background: Public health services are classified as public goods, primarily aimed at maintaining and improving health and preventing diseases, without neglecting disease treatment and health recovery. These services include disease control, environmental sanitation, nutritional improvement, family health enhancement, family planning, mental health, and various other public health programs, such as health promotion. On the other hand, individual health services are considered private goods, with the main objective of curing diseases and restoring individual health, while still considering health maintenance and disease prevention. Methods: Based on the data analysis to be conducted, this study is analytical in nature, as it aims to examine hypotheses and provide a deeper interpretation of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Findings: This study found that although there is compliance with waste management procedures, issues remain in waste collection, storage, and treatment. A lack of staff training and awareness, limited resources, and weak monitoring and evaluation systems hinder the overall effectiveness of waste management. Furthermore, community participation and awareness are still low. Therefore, improvements are needed in staff training, resource allocation, technological utilization, and community engagement to enhance future waste management practices. Conclusion: The implementation of medical waste management at community health centers (Puskesmas) complies with the medical waste management standards set by the Indonesian Ministry of Health. However, several aspects have not been fully met. These include the absence of medical waste symbols on waste bins in some Puskesmas, the lack of dedicated medical waste transport tools such as carts or trolleys in all facilities, and the use of ambulances as waste transport vehicles in some Puskesmas. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study presents innovations in medical waste management at community health centers in Bulukumba by integrating digital technology, a holistic training approach, and ecosystem principles to promote environmental sustainability.