INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS FOR MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGEIRA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Medical waste otherwise referred to as Healthcare Waste (HCW) constitutes a special category of wastebecause they contain potentially harmful substances. The challenge of proper management medical waste hasbecome one of critical concerns in developing countries especially Nigeria. The concept of medical waste iswide, and it includes every waste generated in the process of diagnosis, treatment of patients and other medicalprocedures from all the types of healthcare institutions. There are various laws for management of medicalwastes in Nigeria. Some of these laws also created or mandates specific institutions for management of wastesgenerated from healthcare facilities. Also, Health care facilities owes patient and other people that visits theirfacilities duty of care, and these duties includes ensuring that wastes generated thereat are properly disposed of.A number of studies have indicated that the inappropriate handling and disposal of medical waste poses healthrisks to health workers who may be directly exposed and to people near health facilities, particularly childrenand scavengers who may become exposed to infectious wastes. This paper aimed at appraising the roles ofvarious institutions/bodies saddled with the responsibilities of medical waste management in Nigeria, therebyassessing their effectiveness and otherwise in discharge of their duties. The challenges these institutions faced inthe course of their duties are also discussed. The paper adopted doctrinal methods of data collection and indoing so, looked at relevant statutory provisions, textbooks, journal articles etc. The study found among otherthings that several factors including lack of fund, equipment and inadequate manpower accounts for their poorperformance. It is part of recommendations of the paper that adequate fund, skilled manpower and modernmedical waste management equipment be provided by government. Private waste managers/contractors be alsoencouraged with grants and low interest rate loan. With our recommendations on ground, the medical wastemanagement institutions/bodies will carry out their duties optimally thereby ensuring that our environment ismedical waste free.