LocationsA Modern Solution to Manage Healthcare Infectious Waste in Bangladesh's Remote Hills
May 6, 2026
In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeastern Bangladesh, a growing healthcare waste challenge inside local hospitals was emerging as a serious threat to public health and the environment.
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, it didn't just bring an unprecedented health emergency to Bangladesh; it brought an overwhelming wave of medical waste. Used syringes, contaminated bandages, and discarded protective gear began piling up. For remote and geographically challenging areas like the CHT, managing this sudden surge safely was nearly impossible.
Without advanced sterilization technology, hazardous medical refuse often ends up in open dumps or rudimentary incinerators. This doesn't just pollute the pristine soil and waterways of the Hill Tracts; it poses a severe, daily threat to the frontline waste workers, cleaners, and nurses who bear the highest risk of toxic exposure and infection.
To tackle this crisis, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, initiated to bring modern, sustainable solutions directly to the healthcare system.
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”, said Naoki Takahashi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, during the inauguration of the Infectious Waste Treatment Plant at the Rangamati General Hospital on 26 April, 2026. Serving as a central hub, this single facility now safely processes the medical waste for a network of 17 public hospitals across the CHT.
Instead of relying on toxic open burning, the project introduced advanced, green technologies. Across CHT, 14 autoclaves and 3 microwaves have been installed since September 2022. Moreover, 7 disposal vehicles along with 45 trolleys were delivered to 26 hospitals to ensure hospital waste is cleared daily from the treatment facility to the municipality dumping station.
While this effort heavily focuses on empowering Bangladesh, it is part of a broader, $10 million regional initiative by Japan and UNDP that has also successfully brought similar vital upgrades to health centers in neighboring Bhutan and the Maldives.
Infectious waste treatment plant in Rangamati
Speaking at the inauguration of the plant, Dipen Dewan, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, highlighted this human-centered focus, “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.”
Through the project, hundreds of healthcare workers, waste handlers, and local authorities across the region have received rigorous, hands-on training, ensuring they have the skills to operate the new technology and stay safe on the job.
Highlighting the unique needs of the region, Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, emphasized, “In remote and geographically challenging areas such as CHT, the safe management of healthcare waste is especially important to protect patients, healthcare workers, waste handlers, surrounding communities and the local environment.”
By prioritizing both cutting-edge green technology and human capacity, Bangladesh is proving that a safer, cleaner, and healthier future is within reach. As Naoki Takahashi reflected, "We hope that the success of this project will become a foundation for the CHT's healthcare environment to have continuous and sustainable improvement."
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