The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children with the support of UNDP in collaboration with WHO and Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH) is implementing a full size GEF funded project. The project strives to introduce best environmental practices  (non-incineration healthcare waste treatment technologies) and mercury-free medical devices in four Sub-Saharan African countries  including Tanzania to reduce harmful releases from the health sector. To kick start this initiative in Tanzania, the project will be impelemented in five health fascilities in Dar es Salaam Region (Muhimbili National Hospital, Mwananayamal Hospital,Mabgala Rangi Tatu Hospital, Sinza Hospital and Buguruni Anglican Hospital).

To help countries meet their obligations under the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, the project will  aim at supporting countries to improve the entire healthcare waste management chain in supported project facilities through improved classification, segregation, storage, transport and disposal, among else, it is expected that improved HCWM practices will reduce the spread of infections both at healthcare facility level as well as in places where healthcare waste is being handled, reducing human suffering and health care cost associated with improperly managed waste.

The regional project aims at reducing the reliance of African countries on heavily polluting low-cost low technology incineration equipment and creating a tipping point for the use of non-incineration technologies which will generate significantly less air pollutants than incinerators and other high-heat thermal processes.

Secondly, the use of non-incineration technologies can also provide for the opportunity to recycle disinfected waste fractions, in particular plastics, and allow Health care facilities to reduce their costs for waste treatment, by selling shredded plastics to recyclers.