On 20 May, the Ministry of Health and Population received 22 trucks designed to transport hazardous medical waste, according to international technical specifications.
Witnessing the handover at the Ministry headquarters were Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar; representative of the UNICEF office in Cairo, Jeremy Hopkins; and Head of the Cooperation Department at the Embassy of Canada in Cairo Nancy Odeh.
UNICEF’s Jeremy Hopkins praised the Ministry of Health and Population for its firm commitment to public health and its cooperation with UNICEF and development partners. He said that the volume of support offered to Egypt by UNICEF partners so far amounts to USD2.4 million. Dr Hopkins mentioned the government of Canada, GAVI, and UNICEF Egypt among the partners who contribute to the development of the medical and health field in Egypt. “Together, we can build a stronger immunisation system, and ensure and protect the health and well-being of children and their families in Egypt,” Dr Hopkins said.
Canadian Deputy Ambassador to Cairo, Matt Friesen, talked about the deep rooted relations between Canada and Egypt, and highlighted that the need to build partnerships to confront global challenges. He said that 2024 marked seven decades on bilateral relations between Canada and Egypt.
Canada is proud to cooperate with the Egyptian government and UNICEF to provide the necessary support to help reinforce the health systems, especially in the wake of Covid-19, Mr Friesen said.
He said that the new trucks which should immediately start service, will help reduce the risks of human-transmitted infection, the spread of infection, and the emergence of epidemics, noting Canada’s commitment to working with global partners to protect people from infectious diseases.
According to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, the medical waste treatment systems in Cairo and Qena are getting two shredder and sterilisation devices with a capacity of 1,000 litres. He pointed out that a database and a digital programme have been created to connect the systems of safe disposal of hazardous medical waste at the national level.
Now that the waste disposal systems have been automated, the Ministry spokesperson said, the system features a model for waste management contracts, traffic records and follow-up, tightening control over the system, and issuing licenses for health facilities and companies for transporting and treating hazardous medical waste.
Some 1200 employees work within the safe disposal of medical waste system across Egypt, using 48 chopping and sterilising devices, and 175 waste incinerators, as well as 243 cars.
According to the Ministry of Health, the system disposes of some 41,000 tons of treated waste annually.
Watani International
21 May 2024