The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has partnered with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to address the medical waste crisis in Bangladesh, aiming to protect over 7.3 million people from infection risks linked to poorly managed healthcare waste while enhancing the climate resilience of the public health system.
Backed by a $7.1 million (JPY ¥1,023,546,180) contribution from Takeda, the initiative will establish a robust, sustainable framework for medical waste management in climate-exposed and underserved areas of Bangladesh, UNOPS said in a press statement on Tuesday.
In rural and disaster-prone districts of Bangladesh, the improper disposal of medical waste is becoming an increasing threat to public health and the environment.
In Bangladesh, according to the statement, hospitals now produce approximately 3.4 kg of waste per bed per day, up from 2 kg in 2019, outpacing the development of necessary waste management infrastructure.
Over 80% of municipalities lack adequate waste treatment facilities.
Seasonal floods and cyclones further worsen the situation, spreading untreated infectious waste into surrounding communities and water systems, thereby elevating the risk of diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and bacterial infections.
The project aims to establish six climate-resilient medical waste treatment facilities, which will serve thousands of individuals daily and benefit more than 1.8 million people annually.
It will also train 1,400 healthcare professionals and waste management workers, while engaging 250 community leaders and volunteers to advocate for safe waste disposal and handling practices.
UNOPS Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Sanjay Mathur said, “The partnership with Takeda exemplifies the positive outcomes of collaboration in addressing complex challenges. Together, we are creating safer, more climate-resilient healthcare systems in Bangladesh, tackling medical waste head-on, and building local capacity for sustainable change.”
Toshie Ando, Head of Global CSR & Partnership Strategy at Takeda, added, “The partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening health systems for vulnerable populations in Bangladesh. Through addressing medical waste management in climate-affected areas, we are advancing sustainable solutions that protect public health and build local capacity.”
The project is designed for scalability and long-term sustainability, combining modern infrastructure, workforce development, recycling solutions, and close collaboration with local governments.
The model serves as a blueprint for medical waste management in other high-risk, low-resource regions, aligning infection control with climate resilience and robust local governance, said UNOPS.
