Corporate Liability in Healthcare Waste Mismanagement: An Assessment of Regulatory Failures in Hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Health care mismanagement in terms of waste management is a major issue in developing countries, where it has not received satisfactory focus despite being classified as infectious. When such neglect is attributable, it constitutes corporate misconduct due to nonfulfillment with legal and public health obligations. The aim of this research study is to analyse the compliance status with the HWM Rules 2005 to identify the underlying reasons of overall mishandling and malpractices of healthcare waste management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Drawing on primary data, the study finds that the inadequate applications and discrepancies in the overall system of the waste management. The study also identifies that the lack of awareness of the HWM 2005 rules among nurses and paramedical staff and administration regarding waste handling constitutes corporate misconduct which is hazardous for public health. On the administration side, the lack of proper monitoring and supervision system has further aggravated the situation. The findings suggest improvements in the management of healthcare waste in Peshawar as well as in overall Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.