Infectious Waste Treatment Plant Launched to Strengthen Hospital Safety in Rangamati

A new Infectious Healthcare Waste Treatment Plant was inaugurated at Rangamati District Hospital on 27 April 2026, to improve hospital safety, environmental protection, and public health resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The initiative, supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to establish a safer and more systematic healthcare waste management system in one of Bangladesh's most geographically challenging regions.

The launch brought together senior government officials, development partners, and international stakeholders, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting healthcare workers, patients, and surrounding communities through improved waste management practices.

Speaking at the event, Dipen Dewan, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, emphasized the people-centred approach of the initiative. "This initiative places a strong emphasis on people, strengthening safety, improving public health, and building the capacity of frontline workers, including staff, nurses, and technicians," he said.

Delivering remarks at the inauguration, Stefan Liller highlighted the broader significance of healthcare waste management. "Healthcare waste management is not only a technical issue. It is a public health issue, an environmental issue, and a systems issue," he said.

He also underscored the importance of investing in systems and people, particularly in remote regions like the CHT. "In remote and geographically challenging areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the safe management of healthcare waste is especially important to protect patients, healthcare workers, waste handlers, surrounding communities and the local environment," he added.

Naoki Takahashi, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh in his remarks said, "Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the safe management of infectious healthcare waste became an urgent challenge. Through this initiative, the Government of Japan, in partnership with UNDP and the Government of Bangladesh, has supported hospitals in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with essential equipment, training, and guidelines to strengthen safe and effective waste management systems."

The facility inaugurated in Rangamati is part of a broader initiative supporting 17 public hospitals across the CHT, which collectively generate more than 3,120 kilograms of healthcare waste each day. The project has introduced modern waste treatment technologies, including autoclaves and microwaves, alongside improved segregation, storage, and transportation systems.

Beyond infrastructure, the initiative has prioritized capacity development and behavioural change. Hundreds of healthcare workers, waste handlers, and local authorities have received hands-on training in safe waste management practices, helping to build a sustainable, system-wide approach.

During the launching, Ajit Singh, High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh, Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB) were present along with others