The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has moved swiftly to put health facilities and medical waste handlers on high alert, issuing a precautionary advisory in response to the Ebola outbreak reported in parts of East Africa.
In a statement released on Friday in Lagos, the Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the directive is aimed at tightening the bolts of preparedness and ensuring full compliance with infection prevention standards as well as medical waste handling protocols.
According to him, the move is a forward-looking safety measure designed to keep the state a step ahead of any potential health storm, even as he reiterated that no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease has been recorded in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria.
He explained that the advisory is not born out of panic, but prudence—an effort to reinforce existing public health shields already in place.
Gbadegesin stressed that proper medical waste management remains a critical firewall in stopping the spread of infectious diseases, noting that negligence in this area could open the floodgates to avoidable health risks.
He added that safe waste practices do not only protect the environment but also serve as a life-saving barrier for healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers, and the general public.
“Although there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria, preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in disease prevention,” he said.
He urged hospitals, clinics, and licensed medical waste operators to double down on infection prevention and control measures, warning that complacency is a luxury the health sector cannot afford.
Gbadegesin called for strict adherence to approved medical waste management procedures, emphasizing that rules in this space are not suggestions but safeguards written in cautionary ink.
He further advised healthcare facilities to strengthen hand hygiene practices and ensure consistent use of personal protective equipment, describing them as the first line of defense in the battle against infection.
He also urged safe handling of medical specimens and proper environmental decontamination, insisting that every surface, container, and process must be treated as a potential risk point.
The LAWMA boss emphasized the importance of strict segregation of infectious waste at source, warning that mixing waste streams is like pouring fuel on a hidden fire.
He also advised waste handlers and transporters to comply fully with approved collection, transportation, and disposal procedures, adding that shortcuts in such operations can have far-reaching consequences.
Gbadegesin noted that operators must consistently use appropriate protective equipment during all waste management activities, saying safety gear is not optional but essential armor.
He assured that LAWMA would continue to monitor compliance closely while engaging stakeholders to maintain high operational standards across the state’s waste management system.
He also urged health institutions to routinely review their infection prevention protocols and remain on high alert, even in the absence of confirmed cases.
According to him, any suspected public health threat should be reported promptly through the appropriate channels to ensure swift containment.
Gbadegesin reassured residents that Lagos remains vigilant and fully on guard against potential public health threats, describing the state’s surveillance system as active and responsive.
He added that Lagos has sustained strong surveillance, preparedness, and response mechanisms to protect public health from preventable crises.
He further noted that training, sensitisation, and compliance enforcement initiatives will continue across the state to ensure that no weak link compromises the health safety chain.
