Proper health care waste management is a critical aspect of public health, safeguarding human health and the environment from potential hazards. Under the Canada Grant Project funded by Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), WHO has significantly advanced healthcare waste management (HCWM) in Maldives, especially during the challenging times of COVID-19. The primary objective of the grant was to establish safe and environmentally sustainable healthcare waste management practices across 40 health facilities, including those dedicated to quarantine and isolation.
Initially, substantial progress was made, with WHO procuring and distributing 40 autoclaves and shredders, along with essential consumable items, across designated healthcare facilities in 11 atolls. However, construction of specific HCWM facilities faced setbacks due to budget constraints and operational delays. This prompted collaborative efforts, wherein other agencies like UNDP stepped in to further the national HCWM agenda.
Recognizing UNDP's expertise in construction, WHO and UNDP entered into strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). Under these MOUs, WHO utilized UNDP’s support for the construction of seven prioritized HCWM sites. In turn, UNDP leveraged WHO’s technical strengths in training healthcare personnel.
The collaborative approach culminated in a robust nationwide Training of Trainers (TOT) initiative facilitated by experts from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), conducted in Malé from 28-31 July 2024. The TOT engaged 55 participants from across the country, including nurses, hospital representatives, and officials from the Ministry of Health. Following this, comprehensive cascade trainings were systematically carried out in all 20 atolls, reaching an impressive total of over 600 healthcare workers within just 1.5 months.
These trainings, meticulously planned and coordinated, ensured knowledge dissemination across the nation. WHO provided extensive technical and administrative support at every stage, confirming the effectiveness and sustainability of the training program.
This successful nationwide initiative not only exemplified WHO’s leadership in enhancing HCWM practices but also showcases the effective partnership and collaborative synergy between WHO, DFATD Canada, UNDP, and the Ministry of Health Maldives, significantly strengthening the country's healthcare infrastructure.