Uganda Boosts Medical Waste Management with New Regional Incinerators

Uganda is on the cusp of a major advancement in its public health infrastructure with the near completion of five state-of-the-art regional incinerators. These facilities, strategically located in Gulu, Lira, Fort Portal, Mbarara, and Masaka, are designed to combat the growing problem of medical waste disposal.

The Ministry of Health reports that government health facilities nationwide generate an estimated 70 million kilograms of medical waste each year. A concerning 16 percent of this waste is classified as hazardous, including infectious materials, pharmaceuticals, sharps, and cytotoxic/radioactive substances. Currently, much of this toxic material faces improper disposal methods, posing risks to public health and the environment.

“The challenge has been the proper disposal of such toxic and infectious materials to prevent them from ending up in landfills and water bodies,” stated Ms. Susan Namukose, a Public Health Specialist at the Ministry of Health. She highlighted that issues such as a lack of standard incinerators, insufficient training in waste management, and outdated guidelines have contributed to the problem.

Once operational, these new incinerators are expected to significantly improve waste management practices. For instance, the Gulu Regional Incinerator, with a capacity to process 250kg of waste per hour, is slated for completion in November. Despite some delays attributed to funding, procurement, and land ownership issues, the project has seen the installation of key equipment, including pre-treatment and flue gas treatment systems.

Mr. Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Senior Communication Officer at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the Ministry is committed to ensuring proper medical waste management nationwide. The upcoming facilities will serve entire sub-regions, alleviating the strain on individual hospitals that have struggled with their current waste disposal capacities.

Improper disposal of medical waste, as warned by the World Health Organization, can lead to serious diseases among healthcare workers, the public, and can severely contaminate the environment and water sources. The introduction of these regional incinerators marks a crucial step towards mitigating these risks in Uganda.

Read more: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/regional-incinerators-to-tackle-70-million-kilos-of-toxic-waste-5553836