ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS IN THE SEGREGATION OF HEALTH SERVICE WASTE IN BELÉM

Abstract

Health service waste (HSW) refers to materials resulting from healthcare activities, both human and animal, that may present biological, chemical, or radiological risks, depending on their nature. This study aimed to investigate the problem-solving capacity of the segregation of waste from health services in the municipality of Belém, based on the evaluation of two large hospitals in the municipality, seeking to identify and mitigate the non-conformities observed about current regulations, as well as to propose solutions. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory research, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, carried out at the Ophir Loyola and Mário Pinotti hospitals, in the city of Belém. The investigation showed significant failures in the separation and management of waste in several sectors of these units, compromising environmental safety and the effectiveness of public policies. The analysis was guided by the regulations of Resolution RDC No. 222/2018, of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), and Resolution No. 358/2005, of the National Council for the Environment (Conama). The results indicate the existence of structural and operational gaps that hinder compliance with regulatory guidelines, revealing the need for urgent corrective measures to ensure efficient and safe management of HSW. The survey highlights the importance of strengthening staff training, improving segregation processes, and encouraging the implementation of sustainable practices, thus ensuring the protection of public health and the environment.