Addu to get Maldives’ first facility for safe chemotherapy waste disposal

An agreement has been signed to establish the Maldives’ first dedicated storage facility for cancer treatment waste in Addu City.

The MoU was signed by WAMCO Deputy Managing Director Ibrahim Naif, Environment Ministry Deputy Minister Ahmed Nizam, and Addu Equatorial Hospital CEO Dr. Ahmed Adeel Naseer.

Under the agreement, a specialised facility will be developed to safely store cytotoxic waste generated from chemotherapy services. This marks the first time such a centre is being established in the country.

State media reported that the Environment Ministry will oversee the project, while Addu Equatorial Hospital will begin collecting cancer treatment waste and operating the centre. WAMCO has been tasked with maintaining and ensuring the sustainable operation of the facility.

The initiative aims to resolve long-standing challenges faced by Addu Equatorial Hospital in safely disposing of chemotherapy waste.

According to project details, cytotoxic waste will be treated by mixing it with soda lime, placing it in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) barrels, and sealing the containers with cement. The packaged waste will then be labelled to indicate its contents before being placed in the facility.

The land adjacent to the temporary hazardous waste storage site in Hithadhoo was officially handed over to contractors on Wednesday. State media reported that construction of the centre will be completed within this year.