Tuesday, 14 December 2021

 MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO Global analysis of health care waste in the context of COVID-19

On Thursday 16th December, WHO will launch the WHO Global analysis of health care waste in the context of COVID-19. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large increases in health care waste, straining under-resourced health care facilities and exacerbating environmental impacts from solid waste. At the time of publishing, no global analysis of waste volumes generated from COVID-19 health care activities has been undertaken. 

As the UN and Member States grappled with the immediate task of securing and quality-assuring supplies, less attention and resources were devoted to the safe management of COVID-19 related health care waste. This is despite the evidence that the majority of health care facilities in low- and middle-income countries lack the capacity to manage existing waste loads, let alone the reported increases in waste volumes. 

The report is a starting point to reflecting on the current health care waste situation, in relation to personal protective equipment, highlighting innovative solutions and lessons identified. The report lays out a set of recommendations for integrating better, safer, and more environmentally sustainable waste practices into the current COVID-19 response and future pandemic preparedness efforts.

To receive an embargoed copy of the report, please contact Ceridwen Johnson at johnsonce@who.int or mediainquiries@who.int 

Please note that the embargo lifts at 08:00 CET on Thursday 16 December 2021

Media contacts:
mediainquiries@who.int

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