The Comoros government has taken a significant step towards improving medical waste management with the adoption of a national plan. A sensitization meeting was held on September 30 at the Les Arcades hotel in Moroni, bringing together mayors, prefects, and associations involved in waste management. The plan, developed by the Direction de la lutte contre la maladie and the Agence nationale de gestion des déchets (Angd), aims to enhance the safe disposal of medical waste in healthcare facilities.
The national plan covers prevention, sorting, collection, transportation, treatment, and elimination of medical waste, incorporating health and environmental protection requirements. One of the key objectives is to strengthen sorting, transportation, and treatment systems in at least 75% of healthcare facilities. The plan is supported by international organizations, including the World Bank, the Global Fund, the GEF, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Island project.
Oussoufa Mzé, Director of the Agence nationale de gestion des déchets, announced that several equipment will be available to support the plan's implementation. A biodigester is planned for the Itsundzou site in Mbadjini, which will improve waste treatment and sorting. Mzé explained that the biodigester requires a significant amount of waste to function and will involve collecting waste from other regions.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of equipping the Samba hospital with incineration equipment to treat medical waste. Local authorities emphasized the need for increased government support to address the challenges of medical waste management. Dhanoune Elhad, Mayor of Itsandra region, called for greater mobilization of public authorities to address the issue.
Participants at the meeting stressed the importance of coordination between local authorities, healthcare services, and waste management actors to translate the plan's orientations into concrete actions. The national plan aims to reduce the risks associated with medical waste, which can have significant environmental and health impacts if not disposed of properly.
The Comoros government has faced criticism for the lack of effective medical waste management, with reports of untreated medical waste being mixed with other waste and attracting birds, which can spread diseases. The new plan aims to address these issues and provide a safer and more sustainable approach to medical waste management.
The implementation of the national plan will be closely monitored, with regular assessments to ensure that the objectives are being met. The involvement of local authorities, healthcare services, and waste management actors will be crucial to the plan's success. Key initiatives, such as the installation of the biodigester and the provision of incineration equipment, are expected to significantly improve medical waste management in Comoros.
Key points
- The Comoros government has launched a national plan to improve medical waste management, with a focus on safe disposal and environmental protection.
- The plan aims to strengthen sorting, transportation, and treatment systems in at least 75% of healthcare facilities.
- International organizations, including the World Bank and UNDP, are supporting the implementation of the plan.
