Dhangadhi launches shared waste management center for healthcare waste

Dhangadhi: Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City has established a municipal-level shared waste management center to safely manage hazardous waste generated by health institutions.

The center, built at a cost of Rs 6 million at Parano Bhansar Road in Dhangadhi-2, was set up with technical assistance from HECAF 360 and financial support from the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program.

According to HECAF 360 Program Officer Prerna Dangol, hazardous waste collected from health institutions will undergo treatment in an autoclave machine, which destroys bacteria using high temperature and high pressure. The waste will then be classified for further management.

Dhangadhi currently has 171 health institutions, of which 21 are under the sub-metropolitan city. A system of source segregation has been introduced in these institutions, ensuring proper handling of healthcare waste. Additionally, used vaccine bags in door-to-door vaccination programs are now equipped with facilities to cut attached needles.

HECAF 360 Executive Director Mochan Bhattarai informed that, based on a preliminary financial analysis, health institutions will be charged Rs 43 to 58 per kilogram for hazardous waste management services.

While Dhangadhi has a system for managing general waste, handling hazardous medical waste has long been a challenge. Authorities expect the new center to provide an effective and sustainable solution.