Ways to ensure effective management of healthcare wastes – Experts
Experts have proffered ways to ensure effective management of healthcare wastes and plastic pollution in Nigeria. Recent studies have shown that these wastes are not being properly handled and managed by the relevant personnel and organisations. Health care wastes are generated by health care establishments (human or veterinary), research facilities and laboratories. They also include […]
Experts have proffered ways to ensure effective management of healthcare wastes and plastic pollution in Nigeria.
Recent studies have shown that these wastes are not being properly handled and managed by the relevant personnel and organisations.
Health care wastes are generated by health care establishments (human or veterinary), research facilities and laboratories. They also include wastes generated in the course of health care in homes such as non- hazardous (general) health care waste, hazardous health care waste comprising infectious waste, pathological waste, chemical waste, pharmaceutical waste, mercury waste and highly hazardous waste.
Speaking during a multi-sectoral dialogue organised by Stewards of the Environment for Sustainable Change Initiative (SESCI) with the support of the German Green Foundation, Heinrich Boell Stiftung (HBS), the experts harped on the need for improved efforts to prevent health risks and adverse environmental consequences associated with exposures to healthcare and plastic wastes for both workers and the public.
Donald Ofaegbu, Programme Coordinator of Heinrich Boell Stiftung (HBS) said there was need for all hands to be on deck because health care wastes when not properly managed, could lead to diseases and epidemics.
A study on how healthcare waste is managed in 30 healthcare facilities (public and private health facilities), and Gousa dump site in Abuja by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) found that medical waste management practices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were not in compliance with the stipulated procedure.
“Health care personnel lack training on health care waste handling across all categories of the facilities,” the survey said.
Habib Adamu Isa of Almustapha Consulting who presented the study titled ‘Basic Data Collection Survey for the Analysis of Healthcare Waste Solution in the FCC’, said the study also revealed that only public hospitals have the five categories of the waste, indicating that the level of segregation is inadequate.
“The performance of personnel on waste segregation is poor when compared with the standard guideline available for the management of medical waste. The availability of the facilities for healthcare waste treatment found was at the public facilities with little or none at the private facilities. Due to the inadequate waste segregation, general waste is the predominant waste produced. All waste collected from the facilities are disposed along with general waste at the Gousa dump site,” the study said.
The study also rated the performance of the regulatory agencies (Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and NESREA) low based on the availability of the medical facilities without the requirement for waste management.
While saying that the survey revealed the existence of guidelines for health care waste management but inadequate enforcement, it recommended health care waste management team in all hospitals comprising all healthcare personnel with a clear mandate on ensuring the facility followed stipulated guideline in the handling of its waste, increased efforts by the regulatory agencies in carrying out their assigned tasks, and need for strict penalties and adherence for defaulters of health care waste management, among others.
The study said the entire healthcare wastes collected by AEPB is disposed at the Gousa dump site without any treatment, segregation or sorting and that the facility operated without any operational manual. There is a need for an operational manual and treatment of healthcare waste at the site, it said.
“A visit to Gousa dump site revealed open dumping is practiced, posing an environmental risk. Development of a landfill is highly recommended to avoid contamination of soil, air and underground water,” the study recommended.
Dr. Ifenna Ilechukwu said a study on pharmaceuticals and microplastics in lower Usuma Dam, Abuja, Nigeria revealed the presence of plastic particles and pharmaceuticals (analgesics and antibiotics) in the sediment and water of the dam. He said there was need to study the seasonal (dry and rainy season) distribution of pharmaceuticals and microplastics to enhance understanding of their sources, fate and impacts.
He called for partnership between public and private health institutions to enhance effective management of pharmaceutical wastes, adding “Waste management guidelines in hospitals can be developed and publicly displayed for both staff, patients and patient and their relatives.”
He said there was need for the national assembly to pass laws to enhance efficiency in wastes management.
Director (Inspection and Enforcement) National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) M.A. Amachree said until recently, healthcare waste were simply disposed alongside municipal solid waste saying this poses serious health risk to the public from infectious diseases.
She called for waste recycling facilities across the nation, discouragement of plastic and healthcare waste burning , and avoidance of the discharge of untreated effluent from healthcare sector and plastic industries into canals, and water bodies. Others are effective management strategy involving all stakeholders, as well as involving private sector participation.