LAWMA warns hospitals, waste handlers over Ebola prevention

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has issued a precautionary advisory to hospitals, medical waste handlers, transporters, and treatment operators across Lagos State following the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, reported in parts of East Africa.

The agency said in a statement issued by the Lagos state government that the move was aimed at strengthening preparedness and ensuring strict compliance with infection prevention and medical waste management procedures across the state.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this while addressing concerns over the possible spread of infectious diseases through improper medical waste handling.

He, however, clarified that there was currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria, stressing that the advisory was purely precautionary.

According to him, the agency considered it necessary for health facilities and medical waste operators to remain vigilant and fully comply with established safety guidelines.

He explained that proper medical waste management remained critical in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting healthcare workers, waste handlers, patients, and residents.

“Although there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria, preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in disease prevention. We are therefore urging all health facilities and licensed medical waste operators to strengthen infection prevention and control measures and ensure strict compliance with approved medical waste management protocols,” he said.

LAWMA directed health institutions across the state to reinforce infection prevention and control measures, including regular hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of medical samples, environmental decontamination, and proper separation of infectious waste at source.

The authority also advised medical waste handlers and transporters to strictly follow approved procedures for the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of infectious waste materials.

It further stressed the importance of consistent use of protective equipment during waste management operations.

Dr Gbadegesin stated that LAWMA would continue to support preparedness efforts through regular monitoring, compliance enforcement, and engagement with stakeholders in the health sector.

He urged hospitals and other healthcare institutions to remain alert, review their infection prevention procedures where necessary, and promptly report any suspected public health concerns through the appropriate channels.

The LAWMA boss also reassured residents that Lagos State remained on high alert, adding that surveillance, preparedness, and response systems were still active to protect public health.

He added that the authority would continue training, sensitisation, and compliance programmes to ensure that medical waste management systems across the state remained safe, efficient, and capable of responding to emerging health threats.