Sri Lanka Boosts Hospital Waste Management with Japanese Grant

Sri Lanka Strengthens Infectious Waste Management in Government Hospitals with Japanese Grant

On April 26, the government of Sri Lanka signed Exchange Notes with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to receive project support of Japanese Yen five hundred and three million (Approximately LKR 1.3 bn) aimed at strengthening infectious waste management in government hospitals. The project, which seeks to reduce health hazards associated with medical waste, will involve the installation of 15 medical waste incinerators in selected public hospitals across all provinces in Sri Lanka.

The incinerators, provided in two capacities with LP Gas burners and automatic temperature control systems, will comply with environmental standards. In addition to the equipment, the project also includes a soft component of Training of Trainers (TOT) to provide necessary technical guidance to the Ministry of Health for system maintenance after the installation.

The Exchange Notes related to the grant were signed by K.M Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka, and His Excellency MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Government of Japan to Sri Lanka. The Grant Agreement was also signed by K.M Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, and YAMADA Tetsuya, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office, on April 26, 2023, at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies. This project is expected to contribute to the improvement of infectious waste management in government hospitals, ensuring safer and more sustainable waste disposal practices in Sri Lanka.