Challenges of health care waste management in the health district n°5 of Lomé Commune in Togo[Défis de la gestion des déchets de soins médicaux dans le district sanitaire n°5 de Lomé Commune au TOGO]

The proper management of health care waste is an important activity in the continuous improvement of the quality of health care on the one hand, and on the other, the protection of health care providers and the entire community. The objective of this study is to contribute to a better consideration of the management of health care waste, which requires technical capacities in general, made complex in the context of developing countries such as the health district n°5 of Lomé Commune. This study, conducted over the period from August 13 to September 21, 2018, is based on a qualitative approach and direct observations. The combination of these approaches has made it possible to firstly report on the diversity of the typology of medical care waste in the health district n°5 of Lomé Commune, which requires a certain number of resources (means and skills) for its management. Secondly, it highlights the place that the health system in a developing country gives to the management of health care waste. It appears that the lack of material, human and financial resources in health facilities is the reason for the failure to respect the waste management process in accordance with WHO recommendations. The study concludes with a plea for capacity building of actors and the provision of all health facilities with the necessary resources for an ecological and rational management of waste.