Hospital Waste Treatment as One of the Key Challenges in the Recovery of Ukraine’s Healthcare System

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in February 2022, Ukraine’s healthcare system has suffered unprecedented damage. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, hundreds of medical facilities have been damaged or completely destroyed.

World Health Organization has described the situation as one of the most serious medical and humanitarian crises of modern times.

 

Despite constant security threats and extremely challenging operating conditions, Ukraine continues to restore its healthcare infrastructure. Many facilities have already been fully or partially restored thanks to the efforts of the state, local authorities, and international partners. At the same time, the recovery process goes far beyond rebuilding walls — ensuring safe, resilient, and sustainable hospital operations remains a critical priority.

 

Infectious waste as a healthcare safety factor

 

One of the most critical yet often underestimated aspects of hospital operations is the management of medical waste. Infectious waste accounts for approximately 10% of total hospital waste, but it represents the highest biological risk. Improper treatment of such waste poses serious threats to healthcare workers, patients, and the environment.

 

In this context, the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programme implemented by the World Health Organizationplays a crucial role. The programme focuses on training healthcare staff in hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and waste management practices, as well as on improving healthcare facility infrastructure. The introduction of modern waste treatment systems has significantly contributed to improving the safety and quality of healthcare services, even under wartime conditions.

 

International support and the HEAL project

 

Another important pillar of Ukraine’s healthcare recovery is the HEAL (Health Enhancement and Lifesaving Project), implemented with the support of the World Bank. The project aims to restore access to preventive healthcare, routine check-ups, childhood immunisation, and treatment for people with chronic conditions, while also supporting the modernisation of healthcare facilities and staff training.

 

Within the framework of this initiative, a large-scale programme has been launched in Ukraine to equip hospitals with modern technological solutions for the safe treatment of infectious medical waste — a fundamental element of a resilient healthcare system.

 

MATACHANA technologies and the role of MIOT

 

To support this programme, technological solutions from the Spanish manufacturer MATACHANA were selected. MATACHANA is one of the global leaders in sterilisation and bio-safety systems for healthcare, laboratory, and pharmaceutical environments. Its equipment is widely used in leading medical and research institutions worldwide and complies with international safety standards.

 

The project includes the deployment of steam sterilisation systems capable of efficiently processing significant volumes of infectious waste, ensuring high levels of reliability and biological safety. Such solutions help minimise infection risks and enhance overall hospital safety.

 

The implementation of this equipment in Ukrainian healthcare facilities is carried out in partnership with Medical Individual Optimal Technologies LLC (MIOT). MIOT provides technical integration, service support, and on-site project implementation, operating under complex logistical, infrastructural, and security conditions.

 

Implementation challenges and project significance

 

Installation and commissioning take place in extremely challenging circumstances — from damaged premises to limited infrastructure access and supply chain disruptions. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the project continues to move forward, and installed systems are already operating in hospitals, strengthening safety and resilience of healthcare processes.

 

For MIOT, participation in this project represents not only a technical mission but also a contribution to building a long-term foundation for Ukraine’s healthcare recovery — a system aligned with international standards and capable of functioning effectively even in crisis conditions.

 

Looking ahead

 

Projects aimed at modernising hospital infrastructure and implementing advanced infectious waste treatment solutions are a vital step towards national recovery. They symbolise a transition from emergency response to systematic development, where safety, quality, and sustainability form the backbone of a resilient healthcare system and the return to normal life.

 

This material is based on MATACHANA GROUP CORPORATE NEWS (October 2025).