Poor handling of health care waste and lacking compliance with international waste management standards are posing a threat to health care staff and to the environment due to low standard incineration of health care waste and inadequate disposal of its residues.
COWI is providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Lesotho in the development of an improved health care waste management system.
Initiative under the Millennium Challenge Corporation
The upgrading of Lesotho's health care waste management is part of a five-year Compact signed by the Government of Lesotho and the United States under the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The Compact focuses on improving the provision of water for industrial and domestic use, improving health outcomes and removing barriers to foreign and local private sector investment.
Proper health care waste management practices
The improved system will be based on well documented policies, strategies and a legal framework enabling the enforcement of proper health care waste management practices.
Capacity building and knowledge transferThroughout the process of developing the policy, strategy and legal framework, COWI will build capacity within Ministry and other stakeholders through on-the-job coaching and active involvement, so that they are able to sustain a proper management of health care waste in Lesotho in future.
