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The first ever ultra-modern medical waste and treatment plant has been commissioned in Adegya in the Ashanti region.

Commissioning the facility, the Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Mahama Asei Seini, noted the commissioning of the facility signifies the commitment of Ghana to safeguard public health, preserving the environment and sustainable development.

He stressed that medical waste comprises potentially infectious and hazardous materials which pose a significant threat to human health and the ecosystem if not managed properly.

"It is critical that we adopt responsible and efficient measures to prevent the spread of diseases, protect our healthcare workers and minimize the impact on the environment, he emphasized.

He noted the facility will serve all healthcare facilities within the region and neighbouring towns.

He added that it will also serve as a learning facility for health students in the region

The facility which has the capacity to treat 10,000kg (10 tonnes) of waste a day, will provide over 200 direct and indirect jobs.

He assured all waste generated from the health facilities will be channelled to ensure its sustainability.

The Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, noted that the management of medical waste in the country has always been a challenge.

He added that in the last two years, Ghana has dispensed over 22 million vaccines excluding vaccines for children and the management of the waste was a challenge to the Service.

"We are currently open burning of waste, incinerators with its accompanying high electricity consumption cost and so there's a need to transform to a safer, efficient and environmentally friendly system and what we have here provides this excellent result. We are happy to be part of this transformation," he remarked.

He stressed that the facility does not only protect the environment but the health workers who handle the waste.

The Executive Director, of Processing Cluster E&S Group, Haida Said, noted that the pandemic brought into focus the need to be cautious in handling medical waste to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the country.
He expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo for creating the enabling environment for the private sector to work.

Hiahene Prof. Oheneba Boakye Adjei, who represented Otumfou Osei Tutu, commended the partnership between the Government of Ghana, the Ecosteryl of Belgium and the Jospong Group for bringing the project to life.