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Five-fold increase in clinical waste due to the pandemic situation in Lanka, says study
Sri Lanka has witnessed a five-fold increase in clinical waste due to the pandemic situation which has overwhelmed existing limited infrastructure and resources for health care waste management, creating an additional burden on health care facilities, says a rapid assessment on Health Care Waste Management in healthcare settings.
The rapid assessment conducted by the United Nations Development Programme at the request of the Health Ministry in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that many steps have been taken by the ministry in recent times for effective health care waste management in the aspects of policy and regulation, resource allocation, standardization, establishing in-house treatment and disposal systems for health care waste management.
However, several critical challenges were also identified including a five-fold increase in clinical waste due to the pandemic situation which has overwhelmed existing limited infrastructure and resources for health care waste management, creating an additional burden on Health Care Facilities (HCFs) and the ministry to safeguard staff as well as the environment. The report also highlighted the gendered nature of health care waste management, with over 80% of sanitation workers being women, which is largely unrecognized with increased exposure to risks and solid waste contamination.
Based on the outcomes of the rapid assessment, key recommendations have been made for the consideration of all healthcare sector stakeholders. A few of the recommendations include among others formalizing clinical waste disposal by private practitioners including Ayurvedic treatment centers with a payment system imposed upon the waste generators; strictly enforcement of the prohibition of open burning of clinical waste and introducing suitable arrangements for waste treatment at HCFs; dedicated and appropriate budgeting for Health Care Waste Management (HCWM); Introducing a Management Information System on ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ basis for HCWM; Regularizing functions and empowerment of the Infectious Control Units to streamline healthcare waste management; and awareness creation, education and certification of all categories (medical and non-medical) in HCFs (Government and private) to improve health and safety aspects of treatment facilities.
Unsound management of healthcare waste could cause “knock-on” effects on human health and the environment. COVID-19 pandemic has created quite a strain on healthcare systems in terms of healthcare waste management and Sri Lanka is no exception.
Safe handling and final disposal of the waste is therefore a fundamental step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and whole product sustainability life cycle.
The report of the rapid assessment was handed over recently to Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena by UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Robert Juhkam at a meeting attended by Deputy Director General – Environmental and Occupational Health, Dr. V.T.S.K Siriwardana, Consultant Community Physician of the Environmental and Occupational Health Directorate, Dr. Inoka Suraweera and other representatives from UNDP Sri Lanka.
Director General of Health Services, Dr Gunawardena, at the meeting said: “The Ministry is grateful to UNDP for carrying out the Rapid Assessment of Health Care Waste in Sri Lanka that has led to important findings and informed the developing of the Draft National Action Plan for Health Care Waste. I commend the progress made so far on the pilot project which will help to further improve the National Action Plan, and the Ministry looks forward to UNDPs support in the finalization and implementation of this Action Plan for Health Care Waste, at this critical juncture that the country is currently facing.”
UNDP Resident Representative, Juhkam said: “UNDP is proud to support the Ministry of Health to help pave the way forward towards sustainable waste management in the health sector in Sri Lanka, bringing both environmental and safety benefits to communities and health workers. UNDP will continue its support to the Government through Health and Environment Ministries while bringing together relevant UN agencies and stakeholders to provide a well-coordinated effort in finalizing and implementing the National Action Plan for Health Care Waste Management.”
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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
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