Biosafety Biosecurity and Hospital Waste Management: Where do We Stand in Pakistan?
Keywords:
Biosafety, Biosecurity, Hospital Waste Management, Public Health, PakistanAbstract
The review explores the interconnected fields of biosafety, biosecurity and waste management emphasizing their critical roles in public health and environmental sustainability. Biosafety refers to measures preventing unintentional exposure to infectious agents, while biosecurity addresses the prevention of biological material misuse. Key elements include regulatory frameworks, advanced containment technologies, and international cooperation. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic and global initiatives such as polio eradication underscore the need for stringent biosafety and biosecurity measures, particularly in resource-limited settings like Pakistan. Emerging trends, such as synthetic biology and climate change, highlight evolving risks and necessitate updated protocols and governance. In parallel, waste management, especially hospital waste, is essential to mitigate risks to human health and ecosystems. Categories of waste range from general to hazardous, including infectious, radioactive, and e-waste. Current practices include waste segregation, recycling, incineration, and advanced disposal techniques. However, challenges such as plastic pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient public participation persist globally. Case studies from countries like Sweden and India demonstrate innovative solutions like waste-to-energy systems and national awareness campaigns. The review advocates for integrating sustainable practices like the circular economy into waste management and enhancing biosafety measures through education, investment, and policy reform. Specific attention is given to Pakistan's challenges and progress, emphasizing international collaboration to address disparities. Future directions include leveraging smart technologies, fostering community involvement, and promoting robust governance to ensure safety and sustainability. Overall, the review highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to managing biological risks and waste, balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations and global equity to safeguard public health and the environment.
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