Beyond the glassy lagoons and the polished smiles of island hospitality, a toxic truth festers in the tropical heat of the Maldives. On an island that looks like a postcard dream, behind a modest health outpost, a rusting barrel smolders under the sun—its contents a dangerous mix of used syringes, blood-stained gauze, and shattered vials. The sea breeze, fragrant with salt and frangipani, does little to mask the acrid, metallic tang rising from the flames. 

This is how infectious healthcare waste—one of the most hazardous byproducts of medical care—is still managed on many of these remote islands.  

Until recently, many health centres across the Maldives lacked the necessary infrastructure to safely manage infectious waste. The Maldives, celebrated for its natural beauty and environmental sensitivity, is quietly battling a public health risk that threatens both its people and its pristine ecosystems. 

But change is in the air. 

Under the ‘Project for the Improvement of Infectious Waste Management in Southwest Asia’, with generous support from the People of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives has taken significant strides to change the narrative. Twenty one locations across the country now house newly constructed facilities dedicated to managing healthcare waste safely and effectively—each one a silent but powerful step towards a healthier Maldives. 

The impact is already being felt on the ground. At health centres in the northern islands of Thuraakunu and Thakandhoo, two newly procured autoclaves—machines that use high-pressure steam to sterilize medical waste—are installed. More than just machines, they represent a turning point in how health workers handle infectious waste. 

In efforts to support proper safety for health care workers and improve infectious waste management, PPE and waste disposal consumables are procured and delivered covering all 184 health facilities. 

This momentum has been further amplified through a meaningful partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), and funding from the Government of Canada, supporting the construction of seven additional waste management facilities. 

Beyond bricks and machinery, the project has invested in the people who stand at the frontline of the country’s healthcare system. In a nationwide capacity-building effort led by UNDP and WHO, more than 650 healthcare workers—90% of them women—have received training on how to safely manage infectious waste. The curriculum covers everything from safe waste segregation and transport to occupational safety and waste minimization strategies. It’s a programme that builds knowledge, confidence and resilience. 

In the spirit of sustainability, 65 electric tricycles have been distributed across the islands to transport treated waste to disposal sites. These eco-friendly vehicles reduce carbon emissions while making it easier for remote facilities to manage waste disposal.The digital backbone of the health sector is also getting a much-needed upgrade. UNDP has supported the provision of IT and networking equipment to health facilities and upgraded servers atthe Ministry of Health, strengthening the sector’s digital capabilities. Additional health equipment such as 50 ECG machines and 10 Autoclaves are also procured through the project to support service continuity in health facilities. 

The Maldives is no stranger to environmental vulnerability. But through this project, the country is proving that even small island states can lead by example in tackling healthcare waste management—safeguarding not just lives, but the ecosystems they depend on. 

This article was last updated on 4 December 2025.