(Cairo, December 3, 2024) The Ministry of Health and Population and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today signed an agreement to strengthen the hazardous medical waste management system in Egypt. The agreement was signed by Dr. Radhi Hammad, Head of the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Sector and Alessandro Fracassetti, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, witnessed by H.E. Prof. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population.

Supported by a $6.3 million grant from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the project will establish a modern hazardous medical waste treatment complex in Suez governorate. The facility is designed to process up to half a ton of waste per hour and will serve Suez, the canal governorates of Ismailia and Port Said and North Sinai in case of emergencies. This development is a response to the challenges of disposing of hazardous waste from the healthcare sector, thereby protecting public health and reducing environmental risks.

This project builds on a strategic partnership between UNDP and the Ministry of Health and Population. Since 2019, UNDP has acted as the Principal Recipient of grants from the Global Fund for HIV and Tuberculosis Programmes, delivering effective solutions to strengthen health systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this partnership also extended to initiatives to strengthen Egypt’s health infrastructure, underlining the importance of a coordinated approach.

The agreement is in line with Egypt’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 3 of Good Health and Well-being, Goal 12 on the Responsible Consumption and Production and Goal 13 linked to Climate Action. By integrating advanced technologies that meet international environmental standards, the project aims to reduce harmful emissions, improve the safe disposal of hazardous materials and bring healthcare waste management in line with global best practices that UNDP supports.

Alessandro Fracassetti emphasized the importance of this partnership: "Modernizing the management of hazardous medical waste is critical to protecting public health and the environment. This facility reflects our commitment to forward-looking solutions and puts the welfare of people first. This project strengthens healthcare systems and contributes to sustainable environmental solutions. It is a significant step towards achieving long-term development goals that benefit communities and ecosystems alike."

The Suez facility is expected to be operational in 2025 and will set a new standard for medical waste management in Egypt and the region. It will play an important role in ensuring the safe and sustainable handling of hazardous materials and contribute to strengthening healthcare systems and environmental protection.

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For more information, please contact:

Ministry of Health and Population | 

UNDP | Fatma Elzahraa Yassin, UNDP Egypt, Communication Lead, fatma.yassin@undp.org

About UNDP Egypt 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at https://www.undp.org/egypt or follow us at @undpegypt.