The conference room of Centre Pasteur of Cameroon was packed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, for the 78th edition of the Pasteur Wednesdays. This turnout reflects the growing interest generated by the issue of hospital waste management among various professions. Health professionals, students, journalists, sociologists, and civil society actors took part in this scientific meeting, which was rich in discussions and insights.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Suzanne Belinga, Deputy Director General of the CPC, expressed delight at the longevity of Mercredis de Pasteur, a scientific platform launched in 2009, which is gradually establishing itself as a concrete tool for implementing the training and awareness mission of the Pasteur Center of Cameroon.

The sessions, moderated by Dr. Jean-Albert DI-MAISSOU from the Direction of Pharmacy, Medicines, and Laboratories, allowed participants to update their knowledge on the current situation, the regulatory framework, as well as best practices related to biomedical waste management.

Presenting the state of hospital waste management in Cameroon, Ms. Manga Awono revealed that only 105 incinerators are currently operational in the country’s healthcare facilities. Her presentation also highlighted the national mapping of hazardous waste treatment, while emphasizing the challenges related to their management.

For his part, Mr. Hamadjoda, Deputy Director of the Management of Toxic and Hazardous Chemical Waste at the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development, recalled the regulatory framework in force, which requires the treatment of hospital waste within a maximum of 48 hours after its production.

Thanks to the acquisition of an eco-friendly shredder since 2023, the Pasteur Center of Cameroon is now positioned as a reference in the management of biomedical waste. This equipment notably reduces noise pollution, eliminates toxic fumes and unpleasant odors, while also lowering health risks for staff and local residents.

The best practices implemented within the institution were shared by Martial YONGA, Biosafety Officer at the CPC. He emphasized the need to train the different actors in the chain on risk management, pre-collection in the services, secure transport, as well as the appropriate treatment of waste.

Beyond the institutional framework, certain citizen initiatives also contribute to promoting responsible waste management. This is notably the case of Achille Tanko, involved in the fight against uncleanliness through the design of trash bins and the regular organization of community cleanup campaigns.

Actions aimed at raising awareness among the population about the importance of sorting and responsible waste collection.