DOH, China, UNDP collaborate to improve healthcare waste management in Philippines

The Department of Health (DOH) has collaborated with China and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve the healthcare waste management in the country.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of China in the Philippines Counsellor Yang Guoliang, UNDP representative Edwine Carrie and several other officials attended the turnover to the Philippines of the UNDP’s project which focuses to improve COVID-19 response in the areas of medical waste management.

The project titled "Learning Experience to Improve the Ability of Response to COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific” is funded by the South-South Cooperation Fund, the DOH said Friday on its Facebook page.

The DOH said the project will facilitate provision of technical support and training of healthcare professionals on healthcare management.

The Health Department said several equipment have been donated to the country, which will be distributed to hospitals and facilities.

"As we continue to progress towards a post-COVID society, the importance placed on healthcare waste management must be maintained,” Vergeire said.

“Hence, it is in our best interest to scale up the establishment of a healthcare waste management process and continue building up on the progress this project has achieved,” she added.

Vergeire also expressed gratitude to the UNDP and China for mobilizing assistance amid COVID-19 pandemic.

“Your support during this unprecedented time truly reflects the spirit ‘bayanihan’ - a fundamental aspect of Filipino culture that means working together and ensuring community efficacy towards a common goal,” she said.

“We hope that by continuing to forge our partnerships, the work towards a Healthy Pilipinas progresses as well,” she added.

The turnover ceremony was held at the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Saint Joseph Avenue Tala, Caloocan City on Friday.

It was also attended by Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert Vincent Jaworski and some officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). — Richa Noriega/RSJ, GMA Integrated News