WHO-Supported Medical Waste Incineration Projects: Improving Public Health and Environmental Safety Worldwide

Effective and safe treatment of healthcare waste is a critical component of global health systems. Over the past two decades, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supported numerous projects focused on medical waste incineration, aiming to protect healthcare workers, patients, and communities from infectious and hazardous waste.

These projects combine technical guidance, procurement of appropriate technologies, and capacity building to ensure sustainable solutions in both low- and middle-income countries.

Project Examples and Geographic Focus

1. African Health Facility Waste Management Program (2008C2015)

• Supported by WHO, the World Bank, and national ministries of health.

• Countries included: Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Zambia.

• Installed dual-chamber diesel-fired incinerators (50C100 kg/hour) in over 100 district hospitals.

• Technical specification:

  • Primary combustion chamber ≥ 800°C.

  • Secondary chamber ≥ 850°C with residence time ≥ 2 seconds.

  • Chimney height ≥ 8C12 meters.

• Achievements: Reduction in open burning, significant improvement in operator safety, and compliance with national environmental standards.

2. WHO / UNICEF Immunization Waste Management Initiative

• Focused on safe disposal of sharps and used syringes from vaccination campaigns.

• Regions: West Africa, South-East Asia, and parts of Central Asia.

• Procured small-capacity incinerators (10C30 kg/hour) for rural health centers and mobile vaccination teams.

• Supported deployment of portable incinerators and training for local staff.

• Goals achieved: Elimination of needle-stick injuries, reduction of environmental contamination in rural and peri-urban areas.

3. WHO / Gavi Medical Waste Support for Measles and Polio Campaigns

• Provided technical guidelines and funded installation of incinerators at temporary field sites and central vaccine storage centers.

• Technical highlights:

  • Dual-chamber design with temperature monitoring.

  • Automatic burners with diesel or LPG fuel options.

  • Mobile or skid-mounted versions for remote locations.

• Outcomes: Safe disposal of millions of syringes and vaccine vials; improved biosecurity during mass immunization drives.

4. Strengthening Hospital Waste Management in Post-Conflict Countries

• Examples: Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

• WHO collaborated with NGOs (e.g., MSF) and UN agencies (e.g., UNDP, UNICEF) to supply containerized incinerators for district hospitals and field hospitals.

• Typical models: 30C75 kg/hour, dual-chamber, PLC-controlled.

• Achievements: Enabled hospitals to operate safely during crises; reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections and community exposure to infectious waste.

Technical Specifications Common Across WHO Projects

Across these projects, WHO-supported procurement generally specifies:

• Dual combustion chambers: primary ≥ 800°C; secondary ≥ 850°C.

• Automatic temperature control and data logging.

• Diesel, LPG, or hybrid fuel systems adapted to local availability.

• Chimney height and design to ensure effective dispersion of residual emissions.

• In some contexts: wet scrubbers or filters to further reduce particulate emissions.

Goals and Public Health Impact

WHO’s incineration support projects typically aim to:

• Safely destroy infectious waste at the point of generation.

• Protect healthcare workers and waste handlers from injury and infection.

• Reduce reliance on uncontrolled burning or shallow burial.

• Align national waste management practices with Basel Convention and Stockholm Convention guidelines.

• Build local capacity through operator training and maintenance planning.

The Role of Manufacturers like HICLOVER

Manufacturers supplying WHO-supported or similar donor-funded projects often provide:

• Containerized, mobile, or fixed incinerators matched to the capacity needs of hospitals.

• PLC-based control systems and automatic burners from recognized international brands.

• Installation support, spare parts, and operator training to ensure long-term sustainability.

Models such as the HICLOVER TS30, TS50, TS100, and TS150 PLC series match the typical technical and operational requirements of WHO projects:

• Dual-chamber design.

• High combustion temperature.

• Compact footprint and low fuel consumption.

• Flexible installation in urban or remote areas.

WHO-supported medical waste incineration projects have transformed waste treatment practices in dozens of countries, reducing infection risks and environmental impact.
Through practical, technically sound equipment and ongoing capacity building, these projects help hospitals and health systems safely manage growing volumes of hazardous waste.

For technical details, customized proposals, or references from similar international projects, visit:
www.hiclover.com
sales@hiclover.com

HICLOVER C providing high-temperature, dual-chamber incinerators trusted by public health and humanitarian projects worldwide.

In regions affected by war, poverty, or limited infrastructure, effective and safe disposal of medical waste is critical to prevent the spread of disease and protect public health. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has been at the frontline of humanitarian aid in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. In their operations, medical incinerators play a vital role―especially when reliable, high-temperature destruction of biohazardous waste is required in remote or high-risk locations.

One proven solution MSF has chosen is the HICLOVER Incinerator, particularly models like TS30 PLC and TS75 PLC. These compact yet powerful incinerators are specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of humanitarian medical operations.

Why MSF Chooses HICLOVER Medical Incinerators

1. High-Temperature Combustion
HICLOVER incinerators ensure complete combustion above 1000°C, effectively destroying harmful pathogens and reducing waste to sterile ash. This is essential for hospital environments where biohazards, needles, and infectious materials are handled daily.

2. Reliable Operation in Harsh Conditions
From refugee camps in northern Iraq to remote clinics in Somalia, TS30 PLC and TS75 PLC incinerators operate reliably even in areas with unstable infrastructure. Their diesel or LPG-powered combustion systems allow them to function without relying on electric grids.

3. Compact & Mobile Design
These models feature a modular structure, making them easy to transport, install, and maintain on-site. For field hospitals and temporary MSF medical bases, this flexibility is crucial.

4. Safe and Compliant
With dual combustion chambers, PLC control systems, and flame-retardant linings rated up to 1750°C, these incinerators ensure safe emissions and meet international environmental safety standards.

Models in Use: TS30 PLC & TS75 PLC

• TS30 PLC: Designed for smaller medical centers, this incinerator handles 15C30 kg/hour of medical waste. Ideal for mobile clinics and field hospitals.

• TS75 PLC: With a 30C75 kg/hour incineration capacity, this model supports medium-sized hospitals and long-term humanitarian facilities.

Global Commitment to Clean Medical Waste Management

HICLOVER is proud to support international organizations like MSF in their life-saving missions. By delivering containerized, top-loading, and automatic incinerator systems, we enable medical professionals to focus on care―while ensuring environmental and public health safety.

Our incinerators have been deployed in over 80 countries, serving not only humanitarian NGOs but also UN camps, military bases, and national hospitals.

About HICLOVER

HICLOVER Environmental Protection Solutions specializes in the manufacture of industrial-grade waste incinerators for:

• Medical waste

• Hazardous solid waste

• Animal carcass and pet cremation

• Remote and mobile field units

We offer tailored systems featuring:

• Italy-made Riello burners

• Optional wet scrubber systems

• PLC/automatic control

• Multiple combustion chambers

Related Topics:

• Medical Waste Management in Conflict Zones

• MSF Official Operations in Afghanistan

• UN Waste Disposal Protocols

Choose HICLOVER. Choose Clean. Choose Safe.

If you are a healthcare provider, NGO, or government agency operating in regions with poor waste management infrastructure, partner with HICLOVER for reliable, compliant, and field-tested medical incineration solutions.