The Comorian government has launched a strategic plan for the management of medical waste from 2025 to 2030. This initiative, part of the "Islands" project, aims to improve the prevention, sorting, collection, transportation, and treatment of medical waste from healthcare establishments. The plan was presented at a workshop in Ndzuani, bringing together hospital directors, district medical chiefs, mayors, and community associations.
The national plan was developed by the Directorate of Disease Control and the National Waste Management Agency (Angd), with support from the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility (Gef), and the United Nations Development Programme (Pnud). The workshop, co-organized by the Ministries of Health and Environment, aims to raise awareness and promote the implementation of the plan. The first day of the workshop focused on healthcare actors, while the second day will involve mayors and community associations from each commune.
The Director General of Health, Dr. Saindou Ben Ali Mbaé, emphasized the importance of integrating medical waste management into the overall quality of care. He highlighted that the development of this national plan is a crucial step for the country's healthcare system. The goal is to ensure that good practices are applied in all healthcare establishments nationwide, relying on the responsibility of each actor to ensure the security of medical waste from production.
During the workshop, officials announced that three hospitals, in Hombo, Fomboni, and Samba, will be equipped with medical waste management facilities. A visit to the Hombo hospital, chosen as the site for an incinerator, was organized on the first day of the workshop. According to Dr. Saindou Ben Ali Mbaé, the workshop should lead to concrete measures to ensure the effective implementation of the plan.
The Director General of the National Waste Management Agency, Oussoufa Mzé, outlined the next steps in the plan's implementation. He mentioned that the document is now signed, and the focus shifts to application and dissemination among communities. The installation of incinerators in Hombo, Fomboni, and Samba hospitals is expected soon, along with the provision of collection equipment to secure the entire medical waste circuit.
Oussoufa Mzé also highlighted the risks associated with medical waste, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in managing this issue. He assured that the incinerators will be designed to handle all medical waste produced by healthcare structures, minimizing the impact on nearby populations. The authorities are working to address the challenges related to the collection circuit.
The national plan for medical waste management aims to improve healthcare and environmental protection in Comoros. The government, with the support of international partners, is committed to implementing this plan, which includes the equipment of hospitals and the training of personnel. The effective management of medical waste is expected to reduce health and environmental risks, contributing to a better quality of life for the population.
Key points
- The Comorian government has launched a national plan to manage medical waste from 2025 to 2030.
- The plan aims to improve the prevention, sorting, collection, transportation, and treatment of medical waste from healthcare establishments.
- Three hospitals in Hombo, Fomboni, and Samba will be equipped with medical waste management facilities, including incinerators.
