STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Japan International Cooperation Agencies (Jica) is interested in establishing incinerator plants to dispose of medical wastes produced in hospitals under the city corporation areas.

It is also interested in installing a new water treatment plant following the public-private partnership (PPP) funding model at Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki.

The ambassador expressed the interest to Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Md Tazul Islam during his visit to the ministry yesterday.

The minister welcomed the proposal to establish a water treatment plant and incineration plant with Japan’s aid. He said “The ministry will inform its decision after the proposal is formally made through a letter.”

Tazul also said they have taken different kinds of steps to manage medical waste in a disciplined manner.

He said they have already given instructions to the government and private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres to hand over the medical waste to garbage collectors keeping it in separate bags.