The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has issued a precautionary advisory to health facilities and medical waste handlers in response to reported Ebola outbreaks in parts of East Africa. The directive aims to strengthen preparedness and ensure strict compliance with infection prevention and medical waste management protocols.
Proactive Public Health Measure
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, released the advisory in a statement on Friday in Lagos. He emphasized that no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease has been recorded in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria, and that the advisory is a proactive public health measure.
“Although there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria, preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in disease prevention,” Gbadegesin stated.
Critical Role of Medical Waste Management
According to Gbadegesin, effective medical waste management is critical in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers, and the general public. He urged health facilities and licensed medical waste operators to strengthen infection prevention and control practices, including strict adherence to approved medical waste handling procedures.
Recommended Practices
Healthcare institutions were advised to reinforce hand hygiene practices, proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of medical specimens, and environmental decontamination protocols. The LAWMA boss also stressed the importance of proper segregation of infectious waste at source, as well as compliance with approved collection, transportation, and disposal systems.
Waste handlers and transporters were called upon to consistently use appropriate protective equipment while carrying out their duties.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Gbadegesin said LAWMA would continue monitoring compliance and engaging relevant stakeholders to maintain high standards of environmental and public health safety across Lagos State. He assured residents that Lagos remains on high alert for potential public health threats, with strengthened surveillance, preparedness, and response systems in place.
Training, sensitization, and compliance enforcement initiatives will continue across healthcare and waste management sectors in the state, he added.
