TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR STRENGTHENING THE MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN DESIGNATED DISTRICT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASTE AREA AND MANAGEMENT PROJECT IN PAPUA NEW GUIN
BACKGROUND
The pandemic has been active in PNG since last year when the state of Emergency has been declared in March 2020. As of 16 May 2021, there have been 14,20 COVID-19 cases and 136 COVID-19 deaths reported in Papua New Guinea affecting all Provinces. From the period of 10 to 16 May, there were 1,730 new cases and 15 new deaths reported. This is the highest weekly number of cases reported for the last six weeks. PNG have been largely supported by numerous and diverse partners and has quickly implemented coordination mechanism to control the pandemic. Nevertheless, its capacity for surveillance, detection, case management and Prevention are insufficient to cope with a growing number of cases with a significant increase of deaths since February 2021.
Based on the logistic assessments conducted by the NCC logistics Cluster in November and December 2020, very few isolation and health facilities can manage their medical wastes according to the standards despite an effort done on waste segregation.
Due to the absence of proper waste area in the quarantine and isolation sites, the infectious wastes are stored and transported outside the medical facilities where they are generally burned and buried. Based on our observation, there are large gaps in the way the infectious wastes are managed at present. With the increase in the volume of soft medical waste generated by the Covid-19 activities, the risk of spreading the contamination and the negative impact to the environment and the communities are increasing.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The general objective of this technical assistance is to support Papua New Guinea in improving the COVID-19 medical waste management at district level by implementing pilot projects in one district health care facility per province.
Specifically, this technical support aims at strengthening the capacity of the district hospitals or affiliated health centers to manage infectious medical waste through the following strategic outcomes: (1) an updated medical waste management plan and a waste assessment; (2) the capacity building through the provision of waste segregation and waste treatment trainings to medical, IPC and waste operators staff; (3) the construction of a low-cost and low-maintenance medical waste area; and, (4) the technical support and guidance for the management of hazardous medical waste generated at the facilities based on WHO standards and protocols.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The supplier/APW partner, in coordination and close collaboration with PHAs and WHO Papua New Guinea, will undertake a programme of work according to the strategic outcomes identified as follows:
Activity 1: waste management plan and waste assessment;
Activity 2: training and supervision on waste segregation and treatment;
Activity 3: supervision of the construction and the running of the waste area;
Activity 4: providing guidance and support in the management of hazardous medical waste based on WHO Protocols; The supplier/APW partner will collaborate with key partners.
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
1. Completed technical waste assessment of selected facilities and inputs for the revision of medical waste management plan
- Complete a waste assessment and provide technical recommendations.
- Provide updates to existing medical waste management plan, or propose based on WHO methodology if non existing.
- Provide technical assistance for all Waste components of isolation or other COVID-19- related activities.
2. Training and supervision on waste segregation and treatment
- Conduct technical training on waste segregation and treatment based on WHO standards and PHA regulations.
- Conduct progress reviews and supervisory visits to monitor the progress of implementation and engage stakeholders.
3. Supervision of the construction and the running of the waste area
- Supervise the construction process, site selection, quality control during the construction and adherence to timing in accordance to the amended technical drawings and bill of quantities.
- Supervise the construction of the DeMonfort incinerator and the Safety Box reducer based on the
4. Guidance and support in the management of hazardous medical waste based on WHO protocols
- Support implementation of guidelines for hazardous medical waste management, especially for the GeneXpert assays and other laboratory wastes based on WHO technical support and standards.
DELIVERABLES
The projects targets up to 22 Health care Facilities at District level over PNG for a six consecutive months support per supported site. The selection of the site is a dynamic process based on pandemic reality, the willingness of the PHAs and the availability of partners.
At the end of the project, we expect the minimum following expected deliverables:
- • The medical waste management plan of the PHAs has been updated or drafted;
- • A waste assessment report has been completed for the designated facilities;
- • Trainings on waste segregation has been provided (minimum of one session per healthcare facility staff and two sessions for IPC and waste operators/month/site);
- • Trainings on waste treatment has been provided (minimum of one per month);
- • Supervision on waste segregation has been done (one day per week/site) and on waste treatment (two days per week/site);
- • A medical waste area has been built according to the template layout and is functional;
- • Genexpert cartridges are managed according to SOPs;
- • SOPs are available and adhered to for most of the hazardous medical waste generated in the healthcare facility;
- • A monthly report is produced and shared with NCC/WHO and the PHAs;
- • Based on the Waste assessment, an action plan is drafted to improve the medical waste management in the designated facility.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
- • Essential: Expertise in Watsan, IPC in health care Facility.
- • Desirable: Experience in supervision of construction work and management of hazardous waste as health logistic.
EXPERIENCE
- • Essential: A minimum of 5 years of experience in developing IPC and WASH trainings; previous work experience in Papua New Guinea.
- • Desirable: Experience working with other WHO/UN offices and international organizations.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- • Essential: WATSAN and IPC in Health Care Facilities, project management, basic construction.
- • Desirable: IPC with Biomedical expertise.
LANGUAGES
- • Fluent in written and spoken English
COMPETENCIES
- • Producing results
- • Communicating in a credible and effective way
- • Moving forward in a changing environment
- • Fostering integration and teamwork
- • Knowing and managing yourself
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Duration of contract: 7 months starting June 2021
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 11 June 2021.
- • Curriculum Vitae {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications}
- • Expression of Interest {cover letter}. The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed fee and timeline.
Please use Tender Notice No. 129592 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.