Signing of Grant Agreement with Sri Lanka: Reducing health hazards caused by infectious diseases through the strengthening of medical facilities’ capacity for infectious waste management
2023.04.28
On April 26, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement with the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Colombo to provide grant aid of up to 503 million yen for the Project for the Improvement of Infectious Waste Management.
In Sri Lanka, the amount of infectious waste from health facilities in all regions has increased rapidly since the government began promoting vaccinations to control the spread of COVID-19. The installment of the appropriate equipment for infectious waste management has therefore become an urgent issue; however, the government’s budgetary constraints have deterred their ability to respond to this need. The country’s current form of waste management—utilizing aging incinerators and the open burning method—does not allow waste to reach the appropriate incineration temperature. This results in the generation of dioxins, black smoke, and bad odors, as well as an increased risk of exposure to infectious agents from improperly managed waste.
The objective of this project is to strengthen infectious waste treatment at 15 public health facilities in Sri Lanka through the installation of medical waste incinerators. This project will thereby contribute to the prevention of health hazards caused by infectious diseases and to the reduction of adverse impacts on the surrounding environment, such as air pollution and bad odors.
The project will therefore also contribute to the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Goal 3 (Good health and well-being).
Signing ceremony
Details for the project are provided below.
Country | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
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Project title | The Project for the Improvement of Infectious Waste Management |
Planned implementation period | 55 months, including detailed design work and the bidding period |
Executing agency | Ministry of Health |
Target region, facilities | Entirety of Sri Lanka |
Specific project details (provisional) | 1.Installation of 15 incinerators at 15 public health facilities 2.Consulting services Detailed design work, bidding assistance, construction/procurement supervision (as guidance in managing the facilities), and, as a soft component, assistance in the formulation of manuals and the provision of training on (and the preparation of a training plan for) the proper operation of incinerators and the correct management of medical waste. |
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