UNDP to organise health camps for waste workers in Tangail

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will organise two health camps for informal plastic waste workers in Tangail on Wednesday, aiming to improve their access to basic healthcare services.

The initiative is part of UNDP’s Plastics Circularity Project and is being implemented with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation in partnership with Young Power in Social Action.

The camps will be held in Tangail Municipality and Elenga Municipality, with around 120 waste workers, both men and women, expected to benefit.

The programme aims to promote occupational health, safety awareness and dignity, particularly among women engaged in plastic waste management.

Participants will receive free medical services, including blood pressure and blood sugar screening, general health consultations, and basic over-the-counter medicines. Women workers will also be provided with dignity kits and offered private consultations on reproductive and menstrual health.

Plastic waste workers often face significant health risks due to prolonged exposure to hazardous materials, physically demanding conditions and limited access to healthcare. Common health issues include respiratory problems, skin infections, chronic pain, and psychosocial stress.

Through this initiative, UNDP aims to extend essential healthcare services directly to marginalised worker communities while recognising their role in environmental sustainability.