University lecturers have expressed concern over the inadequate knowledge of waste management among health workers, the lack of comprehensive data, and the limited public awareness of the dangers associated with healthcare waste.
These issues were highlighted on Friday during a meeting at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo Town, Ondo State, centered on healthcare waste management in Nigeria.
Themed “Legal, Policy, and Implementation Issues in Healthcare Waste Management,” the event was organized by the university’s Faculty of Health Law and Humanities in partnership with its Department of Environmental and Occupational Health.
UNIMED’s Leadership in Waste Management
In his opening remarks, UNIMED Vice Chancellor, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, emphasized the institution’s proactive efforts in addressing healthcare waste management.
“UNIMED has taken the lead by developing healthcare waste management guidelines for its campuses. The goal is to elevate these initiatives to the national level,” Fatusi stated.
He explained that the meeting was convened to foster collaboration among experts and professionals to devise strategies for improving healthcare waste management across society.
Calls for Government Action
The participants recommended that state governments enact policies, regulations, and statutes to promote best practices in managing healthcare waste. They also urged the Federal and State governments to allocate specific budgetary resources to this critical issue while expanding the environmental health workforce to implement existing policies effectively.
Training for Health Workers and Stakeholder Engagement
Professor Leroy Edozien, Dean of the Faculty of Health Law and Humanities, called for urgent government action to address healthcare waste management. He emphasized the importance of educating and training health workers on proper waste management practices.
“Healthcare waste includes materials generated in hospitals, laboratories, research facilities, and homes during medical procedures,” Edozien explained. “It poses serious risks to health workers, the public, and the environment. Stakeholders must act swiftly to mitigate these threats.”
The meeting concluded with a unanimous call for a coordinated and sustainable approach to managing healthcare waste in Nigeria, highlighting the need for robust policies, increased funding, and comprehensive education initiatives.