Maldives Establishes Health Waste Disposal Facility 

MV+ News Desk | October 26, 2024

The Maldives has established its first health waste disposal facility, located at the Health Centre in Baarah, Haa Alif Atoll. 

Funded by the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the facility aims to support environmentally sustainable waste management on the island.

Responsibility for the new facility has been transferred from the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy to the Ministry of Health, marking a collaborative effort to enhance health waste disposal practices and protect the community from potential environmental impacts.

In a statement, Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim highlighted the need to reduce reliance on incineration, which can release harmful gases. He called for the adoption of greener technologies, such as autoclaving, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and the environment.

In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy and the Ministry of Health. Under this agreement, an ICP-MS machine, which can detect heavy metals, will be provided to the National Health Laboratory. This equipment will support research on the health effects of pollution by enabling testing for contaminants in soil, sediment, and blood.

The Ministry of Environment has committed to supplying the necessary reagents for this machine by the end of the year. Minister Thoriq also announced plans to establish interim hazardous chemical waste storage facilities in Addu City and Vandhoo, Raa Atoll, as part of the government’s broader efforts to manage waste safely across the nation.

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