The Nepal government has joined hands with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and health institutions to combat the threat arising from unscientific disposal of medical waste. The recent adoption of 'The Kathmandu Declaration' would chart the future course of hospital waste management in Nepal.
Most importantly, the declaration calls for assessment of the environmental impact of hazardous waste being generated by hospitals in accordance with the Environment Conservation Act, 1996. It also proposes that technologies approved by the World Health Organization be adopted and that all health institutions across the country be registered under the ministry of health.
According to the 'Nepal Country Report', brought out recently by Environment and Public Health Organizations (an umbrella group of NGOs), Kathmandu generates about one tonne of hospital waste daily. The facilities to dispose of it in a scientific way simply do not exist.