Projects in Health
"Support for Healthcare Waste Management in Kathmandu 2021-2023" GIZ-Support to the Health Sector Strategy (S2HSS)
By
Robin Hicks
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March 2022 - December 2023
HECAF 360, in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm, successfully completed a groundbreaking healthcare waste management project in Kathmandu, working closely with major hospitals such as NAMS Bir Hospital, Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, and Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. Through comprehensive training and technical support, these facilities adopted sustainable waste management practices, significantly enhancing public health and environmental protection. Strong partnerships with the Ministry of Health and Population, Department of Health Services, local authorities, and GiZ/S2HSS were pivotal in creating a supportive environment for this initiative. This project has set a new standard for healthcare waste management in Nepal, laying the foundation for a healthier and more sustainable future.
“Strengthening Health Care Waste Management in Health Facilities in Lumbini and Karnali Province” funded by USAID’s Strengthening Systems for Better Health
By
Robin Hicks
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July 2022 - September 2022
HECAF 360, in partnership with the Strengthening System for Better Health (SSBH) initiative, has made a significant impact in advancing healthcare waste management across Nepal's Lumbini and Karnali provinces. Through an intensive series of orientation programs, spanning over 16 districts and engaging over 1,000 healthcare professionals and municipal leaders, we have empowered local health facilities to adopt safer, more sustainable waste management practices. This initiative has introduced tools like autoclave machines and needle cutters, setting a new standard for healthcare waste management at the grassroots level. By aligning with national guidelines, we are not only improving public health but also fostering a cleaner, safer environment for communities across Nepal. We can continue to lead transformative projects that protect both people and the planet. Join us in scaling these successful efforts to more regions, ensuring that every healthcare facility in Nepal has the tools and knowledge to manage waste safely and sustainably.
“Safe waste management of sharp waste generated at vaccination sites in Kathmandu and Biratnagar”; Family Health International (FHI360)
By
Robin Hicks
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June 2022 - December 2022
HECAF 360 has taken a proactive role in addressing the critical challenge of COVID-19 vaccine waste management across Kathmandu Valley and Biratnagar Metropolitan City. Partnering with health offices in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, and Morang. HECAF 360 initiated a comprehensive effort to identify, collect, and safely dispose of over 1.25 million syringes accumulated at vaccination sites. This project not only highlights the importance of non-burn technologies for medical waste disposal but also underscores the need for a sustainable, long-term strategy to manage vaccine waste as part of ongoing and future vaccination programs. Our innovative approach demonstrates our commitment to protecting public health and the environment, setting an example for future waste management initiatives in Nepal.
“Covid vaccine waste management”; WHO
By
Robin Hicks
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May 2021 - December 2021
HECAF 360 successfully managed the hazardous waste generated from the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Kathmandu Valley, ensuring the safety of healthcare workers, waste handlers, and the environment. The project involved the safe collection of 3,361 safety boxes containing sharp waste from 21 municipalities across Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts. The collected waste was securely stored in a designated warehouse until it could be properly treated and disposed of in collaboration with local hospitals. Advanced non-incineration technologies, including microwave with shredder and pre-vacuum autoclave, were utilized for the safe disinfection and disposal of the vaccine waste. Continuous monitoring throughout the process ensured proper sterilization, with testing indicators confirming successful disinfection in all cases. HECAF 360 recommends developing a comprehensive national strategy for managing vaccination waste, covering all stages from generation to final disposal. This should include building the capacity of vaccinators and healthcare workers through training and the provision of SOPs and guidelines. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on promoting sustainable waste management systems to minimize environmental impact and reduce risks to public health. This initiative by HECAF 360 sets a strong example for effective healthcare waste management, ensuring both public safety and environmental protection during critical vaccination efforts.
A Hazardous Clean Up Assignment
By
Robin Hicks
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15 February 2020
On 15 February 2020 the Government of Nepal sent a chartered Nepal Airlines flight to Wuhan China to evacuate Nepali citizens working in that virus hit city. Wuhan of course was of course the epicentre of the original Covid-19 outbreak. Because of HECAF360’s experience handling hazardous biological waste the Government of Nepal asked HECAF to collect and manage the waste from the evacuation flight on its return to Kathmandu after all passengers had safely disembarked. HECAF360 is also working closely with all its clients to help them decontaminate any potentially infected areas and to properly dispose of clean-up materials.
Negotiating Life Saving International Aid
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Mahesh Nakarmi, Executive Director of HECAF360, has closely partnered with the Government of Nepal to mitigate the impact of Covid -19 on its citizens. HECAF 360 negotiated and arranged multiple importations of life saving BiPAP ventilation equipment and PPE from the Tzu Chi Foundation. The life saving consignment of oxygen concentrators, ventilators and a vast assortment of PPE is valued at nearly $1.4 million US and exceeded 110 tons of air freighted cargo.
Managing Pathological Waste
If not properly disposed of, infectious organic waste – which includes kitchen waste and pathological waste such as placentas – can attract flies, rats and feral animals, all capable of spreading disease. It smells terrible as it decomposes, and generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. In many countries, there are laws that force medical facilities to incinerate placentas and other waste, despite the pollution this process causes. It doesn’t have to be this way. Getting rid of infectious organic waste in hospitals through low-tech, sustainable biodigesters not only captures methane gas and turns it into low-cost biogas, but it also reduces air pollution and its impact on climate change.
Pharmaceutical Waste Management
Pharmaceutical waste can be every bit as dangerous to communities as pathological waste if not properly handled. Pharmaceutical waste may contain antibiotics, antineoplastic cancer drugs, narcotic and psychotropic substances as well as other potentially harmful chemical materials. HECAF has pioneered safe techniques for the disposal of pharmaceutical waste in Nepal for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for the World Health Organization Nepal Country Office, for the International Committee of the Red Cross, for Americares and for Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
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Refugee Camp Waste Crisis
The Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh has been home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who fled Myanmar since August 2017. Living conditions in the densely crowded camp have been horrendous, with human and medical waste discarded everywhere. The World Health Organization Office for Bangladesh called on Health Care Without Harm and HECAF 360 to help manage the dangerous accumulation of health care waste.
Ensuring Effective Water Sanitation and Hygiene
By
Robin Hicks
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December 2020
HECAF 360 has expanded the scope of its health care waste management work to assist the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population with the management of patients with COVID 19. Working as a technical partner to GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH) and the World Health Organization Nepal, this collaboration has been working in support of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in several hub hospitals located within the Kathmandu Valley and in Chitwan of Bagmati Province. The Government of Nepal is strengthening Critical Care Units in 12 selected hub hospitals which will serve as referral hospitals for stabilized infected patients with Covid–19. Because of the high risk nature of the increased health care wate generated by these facilities, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is a crucial area that needs to be integrated with service delivery in emergency medicine.
VSO Training
By
Robin Hicks
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25 & 28 September 2020
VSO is the world's leading independent international development organisation working through volunteers to empower communities in developing countries. VSO contacted HECAF360 in September 2020 in order to enhance knowledge, capacity and level of preparedness of the VSO staff and its partners to cope with the raging COVID 19 pandemic. Two orientation sessions were held on 25th and 28th September 2020. The first was a virtual session via Zoom on Occupational Safety and Infection Prevention in the workplace and at home. A second session, this one face to face on-site, focused on: occupational health and safety; basic hygiene and social distancing; effective cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation; and the procedures involved in the proper wearing and removal off the full Personal Protective Equipment kit. Myths regarding the transmission of COVID were also extensively discussed as was the use of disinfectants and hand sanitizers. The management of COVID contaminated waste generated by a confirmed or suspected infected person was featured and the management of household waste – including mechanisms to properly dispose of used sanitary pads – was also addressed.
Safely and Effectively Handling Medical Waste
Prior to the rapid assessment, HECAF 360 has conducted series of meetings with Hospital Director, focal person and relevant staff. During the rapid assessment, HECAF 360 conducted the meeting with ward staff to assess the status of waste and WASH in the hospital. On the request of the hospital , the introductory meetings with GIZ and HECAF 360 were conducted on 6th August, 2020, where a meeting was conducted with the director and hospital team of the hospitals, GIZ team and HECAF360 team to update the recent activity and progress achievement for waste management and WASH and understand the mechanism. Also this meeting clarifies the queries on the extent of support GIZ is contributing for the COVID response in the hospital.
Cleaning up Covid-19 Vaccination Waste
COVID 19 has ravaged the country. However with the onset of a large scale vaccination program the situation is beginning to improve. But the infection threat hasn't gone away – not only does it linger in variants, it lurks in the health care waste! Since Public Health has long been a focus of its work, HECAF 360 was eager to take on the challenge of minimising these risks to community health.
