Only 17% of Afghan Health Workers Trained in Medical Waste Management in 2023, UNICEF Reports
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that in 2023, only 17 percent of health centre staff in Afghanistan received training in safe medical waste management, a figure that has raised serious concerns over public health and environmental safety.
According to UNICEF, training efforts have now been intensified, with more than one thousand health workers educated in proper and safe medical waste management. This programme has so far covered 24 provinces across the country.
Improper management of medical waste can increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases, harm healthcare workers, and contaminate residential areas. In a country where the healthcare system faces significant financial and technical challenges, enhancing staff capacity in this area is considered a crucial priority.
Despite this progress, the 2023 statistics reveal that in recent years, insufficient attention has been paid to specialised training in health centres. It is expected that the Taliban administration, in cooperation with international organisations, will invest more resources in training and securing health facilities to prevent potential risks to residents.
