Mauritius Plans Central Medical Waste Facility Amid Rising 29 Tonnes Weekly

The Ministry of Health is considering the development of a centralized healthcare waste treatment facility or regional treatment sites to better manage medical waste. This initiative responds to the rising volume of healthcare waste generated in the country.

Healthcare waste management is a global issue, affecting both small island states like Mauritius and larger, developed nations.

According to a 2015 report, high-income countries produce about 0.5 kg of hazardous healthcare waste per bed per day, while low-income countries generate around 0.2 kg.

In Mauritius, the same year, total hazardous waste was estimated at 0.66 kg per bed daily, amounting to roughly 20 tonnes weekly.

This figure was projected to increase to 23 tonnes weekly in 2020 and 29 tonnes in 2025.

Currently, Mauritius operates only two fully functional incinerators for medical waste, mainly handling anatomical and pathological waste.

Additionally, an autoclave with a 500-liter capacity has been installed at Victoria Hospital. It sterilizes certain medical waste components before disposal at a landfill.

All other untreated medical waste is currently dumped in a designated landfill site.

Given this gap in waste management and the growing waste volume, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has decided to explore the possibility of establishing a centralized treatment facility.

Before proceeding, the ministry aims to conduct a feasibility study on medical waste treatment options within the country.

Medical waste in Mauritius is generated by hospitals, clinics, laboratories, research centers, and medical centers.

About 85% of this waste is non-hazardous, consisting of packaging and food waste. The remaining 15% includes hazardous components such as infectious waste, pathological waste, sharps, genotoxic waste, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and radioactive materials.

Mauritius has five regional hospitals (excluding two district hospitals), six specialized hospitals, two community hospitals, 112 community health centers, 18 Area Health Centers, six medi-clinics operated by the government, and 19 private healthcare facilities.

Source: Le Mauricien