Abstract
Aim: The study investigated the adverse impact of medical waste on Indigenous communities and explored sustainable solutions to reduce inequality and enhance resilience.
Methods: We adopted a qualitative thematic analysis from primary data collected from 176 respondents. Data were collected through focus groups and interviews.
Results: In the research, we examined the interconnected themes challenging medical waste management practices in Pakistan, such as poor disposal practices, health and environmental hazards of poor medical waste management through disease transmission and infections, and soil and water contamination. Socioeconomic disparities and inequality were also identified, resulting in economic burdens on vulnerable groups—the theme of which was Indigenous communities disadvantaged through health risks and vulnerabilities and disproportionate impact on health and well‑being. Themes further highlight government efforts, suggested regulatory and policy reforms, capacity building, and awareness.
Recommendations: We developed three significant recommendations for sustainable solutions to reducing inequality and improving community resilience. The first is community empowerment and awareness, emphasizing the need to educate community members, healthcare professionals, and waste handlers about the risks of improper medical waste disposal. The second is strengthening infrastructure and collaboration, highlighting the urgent need to establish proper waste collection and segregation infrastructure. Collaboration among healthcare facilities, waste management agencies, government bodies, and community leaders is instrumental in designing comprehensive solutions that meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities. The third one is policy enhancement and enforcement, suggesting the importance of policy revisions and rigorous enforcement mechanisms. The study advocates for policies that reflect current challenges and encourage innovative approaches to medical waste management.