March 16: The Government of South Korea has provided equipment worth US$ 42,100 to three hospitals under the hospital waste management programme of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The total budget of the program is said to be USD 42,100.

KOICA said in a statement that it handed over the equipment to Nepal-Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital, Bhaktapur, amid a programme on Tuesday, March 15.

According to KOICA, the hospitals were provided with Horizontal Cylindrical Triple Walled High Pressure Biomedical Waste Autoclave Machine for the purpose of health waste management.

A handover program was organized at Nepal Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital on March 15 in the presence of Madan Sundar Shrestha, mayor of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and Yoonhee Chung, deputy country director of KOICA, added the statement.

The autoclave machines in other two hospitals - Nuwakot District Hospital and Tikapur Hospital - have been already installed and handed over.

KOICA Nepal Office said it has been promoting Green ODA in each of its development cooperation programs from the year 2021.

KOICA expressed hope that the support to these hospitals will bring significant outcomes in the overall hospital waste management system.

“It shall be useful in developing healthy and responsible habits in managing the health waste which is a minimum criterion being responsible towards the environment. Also, it can minimize the risk of infection in hospital,” the statement added.

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