Today, WHO published a new report on the burden of medical waste from the pandemic, threatening human and environmental health and exposing the need to improve waste management. WHO’s Director-General said this past Sunday marked two years since He declared a public health emergency of international concern – the highest level of alarm under international law – over the spread of COVID-19
Dr Ghebreyesus says over 30% of the health facilities globally, and 60% in the least developed countries, are not equipped to handle existing medical waste loads, let alone the additional COVID-19 load, he adds that this situation is most likely to expose health workers to needle stick injuries, infections, and gravely affect communities living near these waste disposal sites.