KATHMANDU: Experts today urged the use of autoclaves and shredders in hospital waste management. Speaking at an interaction on non-burn technology for healthcare waste management, Ruth Stringer, international science and policy coordinator, Health Care Without Harm, said patients, medical staffs, waste workers are affected by hazards of bio-medical waste. In 2000, injections with contaminated syringes caused 21 million hepatitis B infections, which is 32 per cent of all new infections. Similarly, two million hepatitis C infections, 40 per cent of all new infections, and 260,000 HIV infections, five per cent of all new infections, were also caused by contaminated syringes, Stringer informed. According to a survey WHO conducted over 22 developing countries in 2002, 18 to 64 per cent of healthcare facilities do not use proper waste disposal methods. Approximately over 50 per cent of the global population faces health risk at present. Small-scale incineration is only an interim technology, to be used where there is no other option available. Non-incineration waste treatment, shredders, separate storage for non-risk, risk and treated wastes are alternative technology options. Mahesh Nakarmi, director, Health Care Foundation Nepal, said medical waste was not handled properly in Nepal, warning that it could be a hazard for hospital staff and environment. Around 523 kg of hospital waste is produced each day at 10 hospitals in Pokhara.