LEGAL REGULATION OF THE CIRCULATION AND DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL WASTE: CHINA'S EXPERIENCE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ITS APPLICATION IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

With the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the global problems for the whole world is an increase of the volume of medical waste and, accordingly, safe for the population and the environment the disposal of medical waste. Medical waste, including disposable items, such as gloves, masks and other products require proper placement, disposal and neutralization. This contributes to the minimization of the spread of infection and, consequently, can reduce incidence. Proper circulation of medical waste in created conditions requires appropriate legal and regulatory framework in our country. This determined the need to take additional measures to improve waste circulation in medical institutions, laboratories and at the household level.

The purpose of this research is to study the experience of China, which was the first to face the threat of world pandemic. The main conclusions from the experience and lessons of medical waste circulation during the COVID-19 outbreak in the Hankow city, which are reduced to several key points: the development and application of the regime of comprehensive disposal of dangerous medical waste, the use of a flexible approach to the management of hazardous medical waste disposal, and also, the emphasis on the use of advanced technologies, in particular automation of the process of disposal of medical waste with the possibility of tracking and control in real time with the minimum use of human resource.

Currently, the issue of existing legislative initiatives and practices in the Republic of Kazakhstan on issues of circulation and disposal of medical waste is poorly investigated. This research is designed to expand the understanding of what legislative measures are taken at the level of states to counteract cases of improper management of medical waste in Kazakhstan, taking into account existing world practices, administrative measures and recommendations of international organizations.