Medical waste in developing countries: a global challenge for public health and the environment

Unequal global conditions for medical waste management

Effective segregation and management of medical waste are therefore essential to separate different waste categories and prevent ordinary waste from being mixed with hazardous waste. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 85% of waste generated by healthcare activities is non-hazardous, while the remaining 15% may present infectious, chemical or radioactive risks.

Significant disparities remain between countries. According to the WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, 71% of healthcare facilities had basic waste management services in 2025. This proportion was estimated at just 25% in fragile settings. However, these figures are based on information available from participating countries and do not cover all healthcare facilities worldwide.

A lack of equipment, collection difficulties, insufficient funding and limited staff training are all obstacles to the safe management of medical waste.

Health and environmental risks

Infectious waste and sharps present risks when they are incorrectly segregated, handled without appropriate precautions or disposed of without suitable treatment. Injuries caused by contaminated needles can, in particular, expose individuals to pathogens.

The environmental consequences also depend on the practices used. Open burning and certain forms of low-temperature incineration can release air pollutants, including dioxins, furans and particulate matter. Dumping untreated waste at unsuitable sites can also contribute to the contamination of soil and water resources.

However, incineration is not necessarily unsuitable in every situation: its environmental impact depends on the technology used, operating conditions and emissions controls. The challenge is to ensure access to appropriate and safe treatment methods that are compatible with local resources.

Growing needs in medical waste management

The development of healthcare infrastructure and improved access to medical services are increasing the need for effective medical waste management. Healthcare facilities must be able to rely on collection and treatment systems suited to the nature and volume of the waste they generate.

This issue forms part of a broader environmental context. In its Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, the United Nations Environment Programme estimates that global municipal solid waste generation could increase from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. These projections concern municipal waste as a whole, rather than medical waste specifically, but they highlight the importance of strengthening waste management systems.

For healthcare facilities, the challenge is to balance health and safety, cost control and reduced environmental impact, while taking into account the technical and economic constraints specific to each region.

What solutions are available for safer management?

The first step remains segregation at source. Separating non-hazardous waste, infectious waste and sharps helps minimise risks and ensures that each category is directed towards an appropriate waste management route. Staff training and the implementation of clear procedures are essential to ensure that these practices are consistently maintained.

The choice of treatment technology then depends on several factors: the nature of the waste, the volumes generated, local regulations, available infrastructure and operating conditions. Steam sterilisation and microwave-based technologies are among the methods used to treat certain types of infectious waste without resorting to combustion. However, they are not suitable for all waste categories, some of which may require specific treatment routes.

Sterilwave technology combines mechanical shredding and microwave treatment for the on-site treatment of healthcare waste presenting an infectious risk (DASRI). As with any technology, its suitability depends in particular on the types of waste involved, the facility's requirements and local operating conditions.

On-site treatment can reduce the transport of untreated waste to external facilities. However, it requires an assessment of the necessary treatment capacity, maintenance requirements and available resources. Choosing a solution must therefore form part of an overall medical waste management strategy.

Appropriate public policies, sustainable funding and effective monitoring also remain essential to ensuring the long-term safety of waste management systems.

An essential challenge for sustainable healthcare systems

Medical waste management is not simply a matter of disposal. It plays a role in infection prevention, the protection of healthcare professionals and communities, and the reduction of environmental risks.

In countries where infrastructure remains inadequate, progress depends on a comprehensive approach combining waste segregation, training, waste management organisation and the selection of appropriate treatment solutions. The development of technologies such as Sterilwave is one of the options worth assessing to improve the treatment of certain types of infectious waste directly within healthcare facilities.

Sources

• World Health Organization (WHO) — Health-care waste, 24 October 2024. View the WHO fact sheet
• WHO and UNICEF — Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) — Progress on water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental cleaning and waste management in health care facilities 2015–2025, 2026. View the WHO-UNICEF report and data
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — Global Waste Management Outlook 2024. View the UNEP report