By: Staff Writer
September 07, Colombo (LNW): Japan’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s health sector reached another milestone this week, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reinforcing its decades-long partnership to strengthen public healthcare and environmental safety.
As part of its broader assistance program, JICA officially handed over a modern incinerator to the Trincomalee District General Hospital, a step aimed at addressing the country’s mounting medical waste challenges while safeguarding communities and healthcare workers.
The official handover ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation, including Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Eastern Province Governor Prof. Jayanthalal Ratnasekera, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, and Trincomalee District MP Roshan Akmeemana. The Japanese delegation was led by Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata and JICA Sri Lanka’s Chief Representative Kenji Kuronuma.
The incinerator was supplied under JICA’s Grant Aid Project for the Improvement of Infectious Waste Management, valued at JPY 503 million. This initiative was conceived in response to the spike in infectious waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed both frontline health workers and the wider public to heightened risks, while also creating environmental hazards.
Under this project, 15 modern incinerators are being distributed to public hospitals across nine provinces, providing Sri Lanka with a more resilient healthcare waste management system. The newly installed equipment features advanced temperature controls and emission treatment systems, ensuring that waste disposal is both safe and environmentally sound.
Speaking at the event, JICA’s Chief Representative Kuronuma stressed that the project represents more than just infrastructure investment. “The installation of medical infectious waste treatment facilities at 15 hospitals, including Trincomalee General Hospital, marks a new chapter in Japan’s cooperation in the healthcare sector,” he noted, adding that the initiative symbolizes the “enduring friendship” between the two nations.
The project also aligns with the Sri Lankan government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, which promotes sustainable waste management practices nationwide. Beyond providing equipment, JICA has rolled out a comprehensive training program for hospital staff and health officials, ensuring that the new technology is properly operated and maintained to deliver long-term benefits.
For over four decades, JICA has been a central partner in Sri Lanka’s healthcare journey, supporting projects that range from hospital development to infectious disease control. By addressing the pressing issue of medical waste, JICA not only contributes to safer healthcare delivery but also strengthens environmental safeguards.
Reaffirming its commitment, JICA pledged to continue assisting Sri Lanka in achieving higher standards of healthcare and environmental safety, underscoring its vision of building sound, healthy livelihoods for all Sri Lankans.
