International Legal Framework in Curtailing Hazardous COVID-19 Medical Waste: Issues and Challenges

Paul Atagamen Aidonojie; Esther Chetachukwu  Aidonojie; Mercy Osemudiame Okpoko; Eregbuonye  Obieshi; Joshua John Damina

doi:10.71239/dlj.v1i1.51

Authors

Paul Atagamen Aidonojie School of Law, Kampala International University, Uganda Author
Esther Chetachukwu Aidonojie Faculty of Agricultural Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria Author
Mercy Osemudiame Okpoko Faculty of Law, University of Bradford, United Kingdom Author
Eregbuonye Obieshi Faculty of Law, Edo State University, Nigeria Author
Joshua John Damina School of Law, Kampala International University, Uganda Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71239/dlj.v1i1.51

Keywords:

International, Legal, Hazardous Waste, COVID-19, Medical

Abstract

At the close of 2019, the global environment was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare across the global environment was overwhelmed with patients suffering from the COVID-19 virus. However, in a bid to respond in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic through medical equipment, it resulted in unprecedented waste. However, despite there are several global laws that curtail the incidence of waste generation and disposal, most developing countries experience a high level of medical waste from equipment used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. In this regard, the study adopts a doctrinal method of investigation to examine the global legal issues and challenges concerning waste emanating from medical equipment in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented medical waste within the global environment, low and middle-income countries suffered more as a dumping ground of medical waste emanating from the equipment used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The study also found that there is a legal gaps and weaknesses concerning the international laws curtailing the incidence of waste. Furthermore, the study also found that poor technology in recycling and curtailing COVID-19 medical waste is a major challenge to developing nations during the pandemic. The study concluded and recommended that to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment free from unprecedented waste. There is a need to strengthen National and international laws in curtailing the incidence and indiscriminate dumping of COVID-19 and any medical waste. Furthermore, the study recommends the need for international cooperation in knowledge sharing on sustainable waste management through sophisticated technology.

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