Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has launched the construction of a Sh114 million medical microwave waste facility in Mwatate Subcounty Hospital.
The project, he said, will consist of an equipment house and multimillion-shilling equipment.
Mwadime said the project will be financed by the county and national government, with support from the government of Belgium.
“The county government will finance the construction work of the equipment house to a tune of Sh14.48 million,” Mwadime said.
“Equipping of the facility will be financed by the national government through the the Ministry of Health with support from the Belgium government at a cost of Sh100 million.”
He said the equipment will raise standards of healthcare waste management in the county.
Mwadime emphasised the importance of safe disposal of medical waste to avoid exposing the healthcare workers and the public to any danger.
The county boss expressed gratitude for the collaboration, highlighting the importance of partnerships towards realisation of the universal health coverage.
He said construction of the facility will further contribute immensely to expansion of the Mwatate Subcounty Hospital, whose growth has stagnated for many years.
The facility, health services executive Gifton Mkaya said, will use non-burn technology which is cost-effective and environmentally-friendly.
He said the non-burn technology is meant to promote good medical waste disposal, which can be hazardous to the public and the environment if not properly handled.
Mkaya said the department is working on improving waste treatment and medical sterilisation practices for the entire county.
“The department of health services is focused on enhancing its waste disposal systems. Further, this project is a big boost to our plans,” he said.
Construction of the facility comes even as the devolved unit is keen on streamlining the solid waste management.
To increase efficiency in solid waste management, the county is setting up a solid waste recovery facility in Chakaleri, Mwatate subcounty.
The project is being funded by the European Union under the Go Blue Project in Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani.
Governor Mwadime said the recycling facility is meant to transform waste management into a profitable and eco-friendly venture, benefiting both the environment and the local economy.
"Once completed, the facility will play a crucial role in promoting a circular economy by ensuring waste separation and job provision," he said.
The county generates approximately 200 tonnes of solid waste daily, with at least 70 per cent remaining uncollected.
Only 56 tonnes of solid waste get to the county’s dumping sites at Chakaleri and Riata daily.