Objective of the programme
Bio-medical waste (BMW) means any waste, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals, or in research activities pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals. Scientific disposal of BMW through segregation, collection and treatment in an environmentally sound manner minimizes the adverse impact on health workers and on the environment.
As per bio-medical waste management (BMWM) Rules, 2016, all healthcare facilities are required to put in place mechanisms for effective disposal of BMW at the facility itself or through Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment and disposal Facilities (CBWTFs).
The COVID -19 vaccination drive has generated large quantities of wastes such as sharps and infectious non-sharp wastes and the learning of adequate segregation, treatment and disposal to avoid any direct and indirect health effects in the community and impact the environment can be used for future vaccination programmes. BMWM Rules, 2016 is the key legislation governing the management of biomedical waste in India.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), in its operational guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines, has been implementing a phased approach for roll-out of its COVID-19 vaccination drive based on guidance from the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC).
Even though the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has detailed guidelines on the management of bio medical waste generated during vaccination drive but the implementation of these rules and guidelines are an ongoing process in the country and therefore needs more strengthening.
The key objectives of the consultancy assignment will be as follows:
Provide technical support to NCDC and WHO India country office on Bio medical waste management and Water and Sanitation.
SCOPE OF WORK
- Support WHO’s engagement and technical activities with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other central ministries and state governments in relation to identified issues. This includes but is not limited to, attending intergovernmental or inter-agency meetings, coordinating for risk and exposure data, supporting documentation, reviewing technical documents and policy briefings.
- In coordination with WHO country office, technical assistance on Bio medical waste management and Environmental Health Issues of Climate Change, Water and Sanitation.
- Support the preparation and/or revision of communication materials and capacity building activities or products related to focal areas identified for consultancy
- Support in Training and capacity building for facility staff, state functionaries on bio medical waste management
- Support in organizing high level events with national stakeholders and CSO on bio medical waste management
- Support in documentation, writing reports for the Biomedical waste management pilots being implemented in 3 states of the country namely Delhi, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
Requisition number: 2300188
Position title: National consultant for Bio-medical waste management
Contract duration: 10.5 months
Contract type: Consultancy
Duty Station: India-New Delhi
Link to apply:
- WHO Careers Website: Careers at WHO
- Vacancies (staff member access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/in/jobsearch.ftl
- Vacancies (external candidate access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl