Sirajganj Sets a New Benchmark for Bangladesh in Biomedical Waste Management

Bangladesh marked a significant milestone in sustainable healthcare and environmental protection today with the inauguration of the Biomedical Waste Management Facility for all Healthcare Establishments of Sirajganj District. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to safely collect, transport, treat and dispose of more than 950 tonnes of biomedical waste annually, while recovering approximately 130 tonnes of recyclable materials every year. The initiative is expected to benefit more than three million people by reducing exposure to infectious healthcare waste, strengthening public health protection and preventing environmental contamination.

Due to adverse weather conditions, Mr. Iqbal Hassan Mahmud, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, joined the inauguration ceremony virtually. Representing the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in person was Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Secretary in Charge. The event was chaired by Mr. Md. Aminul Islam, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Sirajganj, and attended by Dr. Md. Lutfor Rahman, Director General of the Department of Environment, Mr. Jérôme Stucki, Chief, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit, UNIDO Headquarters, Ms. Gitanjali Singh, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Dr. Rana Pratap Singh, Project Manager, UNIDO, Vienna, together with senior government officials, healthcare leaders, development partners, local government representatives, civil society organizations, private-sector stakeholders and members of the media.

Speaking during the inauguration, Mr. Iqbal Hassan Mahmud, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, highlighted that by recovering an estimated 130 tonnes of recyclable materials every year, the facility embraces circular economy principles, reduces the volume of waste requiring final disposal, and promotes resource efficiency and sustainable industrial practices. He emphasized that the Sirajganj Biomedical Waste Management Facility demonstrates how environmentally sound biomedical waste management can contribute to both environmental protection and the circular economy while serving as a model for future replication across Bangladesh.

In his virtual remarks, Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening environmentally sound biomedical waste management systems as an integral part of Bangladesh’s sustainable development agenda.

The project’s benefits extend far beyond healthcare facilities. With service coverage reaching more than three million people, the initiative is expected to reduce the risks of disease transmission associated with improper biomedical waste disposal, improve environmental quality, and contribute to healthier and safer communities throughout the district. Speakers from various government agencies emphasized that the facility represents an important investment in public health and environmental sustainability.

Mr. Jérôme Stucki, Chief, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit, UNIDO Headquarters, congratulated the Government of Bangladesh and all project partners on achieving a major milestone in advancing environmentally sound healthcare waste management. He emphasized that the Sirajganj Biomedical Waste Management Facility demonstrates how strong partnerships, innovative approaches and sustained institutional commitment can deliver tangible environmental and public health benefits.

Ms Gitanjali Singh, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Bangladesh, reaffirmed the United Nations’ continued commitment to supporting the Government of Bangladesh in advancing environmental sustainability and strengthening resilient healthcare waste management systems. She highlighted that the Sirajganj Biomedical Waste Management Facility reflects the power of partnerships in delivering integrated solutions that protect public health, safeguard the environment and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She further reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to continuing its close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and development partners to scale up innovative, inclusive and sustainable environmental solutions across the country.

Dr. Rana Pratap Singh, Project Manager, UNIDO, Vienna, expressed his vision that the Sirajganj Biomedical Waste Management Facility would serve as a national model for integrated healthcare waste management.

In his keynote presentation, Mr. Gubair Bin Arafat demonstrated how effective collaboration among government institutions, healthcare providers, development partners and local communities has made this pioneering initiative possible. He emphasized that the project showcases how strategic partnerships can generate lasting environmental, public health and socio-economic benefits for Bangladesh while inspiring similar initiatives across the country.

For details, please contact

Sattya Ranjan Bhattacharjee
National Project Coordinator
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
s.battacharjee@unido.org
+880 1714 392 807