Safe and appropriate medical waste management has been a major challenge at many hospitals in Lao PDR, especially since COVID-19. UNDP supported the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Ministry of Health to conduct WASH FIT (Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool) training at 21 hospitals.

WASH FIT is a globally used quality improvement tool for health care facilities developed by WHO and UNICEF and UNDP has also supported the development of the first WASH FIT textbook in Lao language, where the trainees can also refer to good examples of medical waste mangement in local contexts.