Critique of Legislation in the Health Sector: A Review of Medical Waste Regulation in Indonesia

Abstract

Medical waste management in Indonesia has become a critical issue in the health sector, especially with the increasing volume of medical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there are regulations governing medical waste management, such as Law no. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management and Minister of Health Regulation no. 18 of 2020, its implementation still faces various obstacles. This research aims to criticize legal regulations related to medical waste in Indonesia, by highlighting regulatory weaknesses, implementation challenges in the field, and their impact on public health and the environment. The research methods used are normative juridical studies and case studies in several health facilities in Indonesia. The research results show that there is a gap between regulations and practice in the field, which is caused by limited infrastructure, weak supervision, and high operational costs. This research recommends that the government tighten supervision, provide incentives for health facilities, and develop more detailed technical guidelines regarding medical waste management.