Rwanda Gets New Diesel Oil Incinerator for Medical Waste Management

Rwanda Gets New Diesel Oil Incinerator for Medical Waste Management

Rwanda’s healthcare system faced significant challenges in managing healthcare waste, leading to environmental and health risks. To address this, the Government of Rwanda has inaugurated a new Diesel Oil Incinerator (DOI) at the Kigali Teaching and Referral Hospital. The USD 2.5 million project is funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).

How Does the Incinerator Work?

The DOI works on the principle of thermal oxidation, using high temperatures to break down medical waste into gases and ash. The process involves:

• Waste is fed into the incinerator through a conveyor belt.
• The waste is then ignited using diesel oil.
• The intense heat generated incinerates the waste, converting it into gases and ash.
• The gases are exhausted through a chimney, treated to remove harmful pollutants, and released into the atmosphere.
• The ashes are collected and disposed of responsibly.

Benefits of the Incinerator

• Environmentally friendly waste management.
• Reduces the risk of infectious disease transmission.
• Prevents soil and water pollution.
• Creates a safer and healthier healthcare environment.

Project Significance

• Addresses the pressing need for efficient medical waste management in Rwanda.
• Adopts a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
• Enhances healthcare waste management capacity.
• Contributes to Rwanda’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Challenges

• Initial capital costs.
• Operation and maintenance requirements.
• Public awareness and training need.

Future Plans

• The Rwandan government plans to scale up the implementation of sustainable waste management practices.
• Additional incinerators will be installed at other major hospitals.
• Collaboration with international partners is underway to enhance waste management infrastructure and capacity.

FAQs

Q: What types of medical waste can be incinerated?

A: Sharp objects, infectious waste, anatomical waste, pharmaceutical waste, and other medical waste.

Q: What are the air emissions from the incinerator?

A: The incinerator is equipped with pollution control measures to minimize harmful emissions. The exhaust gases are treated before release into the atmosphere.

Q: What is the capacity of the incinerator?

A: The incinerator can handle approximately 6 vicissural waste generated at Kigali Teaching and Referral Hospital.