The Management of Health Care Waste in Nigeria

Medical waste occupies a small part of the total amount of waste generated from local communities, but waste generated from medical services is considered to be a major problem in worldwide public health and environmental management. Many medical waste are classified as infectious diseases and pose a serious public health threat to healthcare workers, waste disposers, patients and visitors, and the surrounding environment. Medical waste management is very important. Because it is contagious and dangerous, and may have a negative impact on humans and the environment.

Medical care is indispensable to our lives and health, but the waste of medical activities brings big problems to the nature of life and the human world. Inadequate management of waste generated from medical institutions will have a direct health impact on the community, medical staff and the environment. Every day, healthcare hospitals and institutions around the world generate relatively large amounts of potentially infectious and hazardous waste. Disposal of BMW and hospital waste indiscriminately and exposure to such waste poses a serious threat to the environment and human health and requires special handling and management before final disposal. This review article describes basic issues such as biomedical waste definition, categories, problems, disposal methods and biomedical waste management processes. Also, it aims to raise awareness of staff in the health care department.

How do you manage medical waste? Coad A and Christen J, 1999, SKAT. Case study from 6 cities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to understand management of medical waste in low-income countries and middle-income countries. It consists of a series of questions to guide the management of medical waste. Available from: Intermediate Technical Publications. In 1999, WHO's "Drug Donation Guide" (2nd edition). Discussed the need for appropriate donation practices, including basic principles and practical guidelines for drug contributions, covering issues such as selection, quality, validity period, etc. It is suitable for adaptation and use by all levels of providers and recipients. Available from the World Health Organization's Essential Pharmaceutical Division at www.who.int/medicines/ and www.drugdonations.org.

Practical materials for procurement and management of primary medical drugs and equipment