RESEARCH ON ADAPTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AT CAN THO CITY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AMIDST INCREASING MEDICAL DEMAND IN THE POST-COVID-19 PERIOD

Abstract

Medical waste management in specialized pediatric facilities necessitates continuous adaptation to the mounting pressure of waste loads and stringent biosafety regulations. This study comprehensively assesses the environmental performance and management practices at Can Tho city Children's Hospital between 2022 and 2024, employing Material Flow Analysis (MFA) alongside knowledge - attitude - practice (KAP) surveys. The findings reveal a positive correlation between treatment scale and infrastructural strain, highlighted by inpatient bed-days peaking at 264,856 in 2024. While the overall solid waste volume remained stable, its composition experienced a remarkable shift: non-infectious hazardous waste surged 2.6-fold, mirroring the advancement of intensive clinical techniques. Concurrently, the wastewater treatment system operated at critical efficiency, reaching 97% of its designed threshold (465/480 m³/day) during peak intervals. From a human resource perspective, medical personnel exhibited a robust knowledge base and proactive attitudes. Nevertheless, practical execution was hindered by constraints within the standardized supply chain, resulting in the adoption of alternative containment strategies for sharps. Furthermore, SWOT analysis demonstrates that the workforce's strong awareness of procedural compliance is currently bottlenecked by vulnerabilities in physical infrastructure and material provisioning mechanisms. Ultimately, these discoveries underscore the urgent need to synchronize investments in technical facilities and essential supplies to secure sustainable development objectives.