The problem

As of 2001, Cambodia lacked even the most rudimentary programs for medical waste disposal. By far the largest current hazardous waste threat is medical waste. The city has few working incinerators, and many hospitals dispose of their medical waste in the city dump, which is unlined, and has children scavenging it daily. Body parts are commonly found in the dump. At the time of our visit, there was need for a central incinerator, or incinerator reform program capable of handling this kind of waste, and a process to collect and transport it to the incinerator.

Current Activity

Blacksmith has worked with the Medical Waste Management Committee (Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment) as well as other local agencies to develop legislation and infrastructure to effectively handle medical waste in Phnom Penh, and eventually in all of Cambodia. In 2002, Blacksmith Institute funded a survey of thirty hospitals, health care centers, and clinics in Phnom Penh City.

Data from this survey led to the creation of the first report on medical waste management in Cambodia. In the short term, the report and project focused on surveying all the available options for medical waste disposal, the situation of medical waste disposal in Phnom Penh, reviewing other countries' regulations as models for Cambodia's, and working with the international community on an implementation plan.

Blacksmith has worked with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment, as well as other local agencies, to develop legislation and infrastructure to effectively handle medical waste in Phnom Penh, and eventually in all of Cambodia. Following these initial studies, a Medical Waste Management Plan (MWMP) was developed and international donors have supplied Phnom Penh with 20 additional medical waste incinerators. Revisions of the MWMP are ongoing.