Correspondent
Rangamati, Apr 28:
An Infectious Healthcare Waste Treatment Plant was inaugurated at Rangamati District Hospital to strengthen hospital safety and environmental protection in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
The facility, launched on April 27, is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP to improve healthcare waste management in the region. Officials said the initiative will help ensure safer handling, treatment, and disposal of infectious waste, protecting patients, healthcare workers, and nearby communities.
CHT Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan said the project reflects a people-centred approach, focusing on public health, safety, and capacity building of frontline workers. UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller described healthcare waste management as not only a technical issue but also a critical public health and environmental concern, particularly in remote areas like the CHT.
Naoki Takahashi of the Embassy of Japan noted that safe waste management became urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the initiative provides essential equipment, training, and guidelines.
The Rangamati facility is part of a broader programme covering 17 public hospitals in the CHT, which collectively generate over 3,000 kg of medical waste daily. The project also includes training for healthcare workers and improved waste segregation and disposal systems.
Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh and ADB Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong were among those present.
Source: UNDP
