The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and BAN Toxics, through the Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCWM Project), recently carried out three key assessment activities aimed at ensuring a grounded and science-based approach to planned project interventions: (1) a training needs assessment (TNA) on healthcare waste management practices in hospitals and barangays; (2) the development and pilot testing of a waste generation calculation procedure for healthcare facilities (HCFs); and (3) an evaluation of technologies and waste handling procedures in HCFs and treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities.
Training Needs Assessment
The TNA was conducted from June to early July in the project’s current partner hospitals and their surrounding communities, namely, Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Region 2, Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Region 8, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in NCR. The TNA evaluated the current state of knowledge, skills, motivation, and institutional support of healthcare waste management practitioners, which will serve to inform targeted capacity-building interventions under the project.
Development and Piloting of Waste Generation Calculation Procedures
With the assistance of civil society organization Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH) – Southeast Asia, which serves as the project consultant, consultations were conducted with CMVC, EVMC, and QMMC to develop and pilot a waste generation calculation procedure, or waste audit, intended for the general use in healthcare facilities across the country. The waste audit will also include the assessment of unintentionally produced organic pollutants (uPOPs) and mercury waste, which are the key focus areas for reduction and management under the project. Findings from the audit will inform waste minimization strategies and interventions for healthcare facilities.
Assessment of Technologies and Waste Handling Procedures
Lastly, the project team, along with project consultant, Dr. Gerardo S. Mogol, conducted site visits to partner TSD facilities to gather information on waste handling procedures, waste treatment technologies, and disposal practices. The facilities visited included Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation in Pampanga, Philippine Premiere Recycling & Innovation Corporation in Capas, Tarlac (operated by Envirocare Management Precision Inc.), and the Integrated Waste Management Facility in Trece Martires, Cavite. The project aims to improve healthcare waste management through environmentally sound technologies and procedures, including promoting non-burn treatment technologies to reduce emissions of unintentionally produced organic pollutants (uPOPs).
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The HCWM Project aims to improve healthcare waste management in the country, with a special focus on reducing the release and emissions of hazardous substances from healthcare waste. Implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the DENR-EMB, the project receives funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with BAN Toxics serving as the executing partner.