HEALTH

The initial situation

The wastewater sector in Laos is still at an early development stage, particularly in the healthcare sector. Only eleven of the more than 140 hospitals operated by the Ministry of Health have fully biological sewage treatment plants and only one of these is operated in accordance with the applicable standards. Untreated or inadequately treated hospital wastewater often enters open rainwater sewers in densely populated areas, posing a considerable threat to public health and the environment.

The approach

To improve wastewater treatment in hospitals, the HEALTH project focuses on training courses for the personnel and the adaptation of technical solutions. The quality of sewage treatment is to be significantly enhanced by means of targeted training measures and the introduction of state-of-the-art post-treatment technologies.

The objectives and measures

The main objective of the project is to enable the operating personnel of hospital sewage treatment plants in Laos to operate different types of sewage treatment plants properly and effectively. A comprehensive training programme is being developed, translated into the Laotian language and adapted to local requirements. At least twelve technicians and four trainers are being trained to considerably improve the efficiency of the sewage treatment plants.

Another aim of the project is to technologically adapt and test a post-treatment stage. UV radiation and ozone are to be used in combination with carbon filters to better remove pharmaceutical residues and pathogens from the wastewater. The results of the pilot project serve as the basis for the introduction of this technology at other hospital locations. The training centre is being further developed in such a way that future wastewater training courses can be implemented there independently. This will strengthen local wastewater management knowledge in the long term. Furthermore, a network of local partner organisations is being established to support the planning and implementation of follow-up projects for the post-treatment of wastewater.