Malawi's First Private Medical Waste Treatment Plant established
On 14 July, Malawi's first privately owned medical and pharmaceutical waste treatment plant was inaugurated. The plant is owned and operated by Mitch Investments, a Malawian-owned, women-led private sector company.
Mitch Investments aims to address the pressing challenge of managing the approximately 45,000 tonnes of medical waste generated annually in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase of medical waste, driven by the increased demand for personal protective equipment, needles, syringes and other vaccination-related items.
The primary objective of Mitch Investments is to provide a safe, efficient and environmentally sound solution for the disposal of medical waste in Malawi. In the past, inadequate waste management facilities have led to the improper disposal of hazardous medical waste, often resulting in the burning of waste in open dumps, which has had a negative impact on public health and the environment.
Mercy Chamwalira, CEO of Mitch Investments, expressed her excitement at this milestone, highlighting that it demonstrates Malawi's ability to respond to the critical challenge of medical waste, while aligning with the country's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The “Support towards Industrialisation and the Productive Sectors (SIPS)” joint action, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by the SADC Secretariat and GIZ, played a major role in supporting this innovative project. SIPS focuses on promoting self-reliant economies, reducing import dependence, and building regional resilience in the SADC region. By addressing policy, regulatory and business environment constraints, it aims to increase private sector participation in the agro-processing and pharmaceutical sectors, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth and development.
Please find below a link to watch the official opening of the Mitch Investments Medical & Pharmaceutical Waste Treatment Plant in Malawi, Lilongwe.