By Chioma Obinna

Undoubtedly, improper disposal of medical waste in the country has become a public health concern. It used to be common sight to see all kinds of medical waste being littered anywhere, but today, the story is changing as some States’ waste management authorities and health institutions have developed regulatory approach to ensure proper management of hazardous waste.

One of such health facilities that have consistently followed the World Health Organisations stipulations on management of Medical Waste has been Emel Hospitals Limited, Festac, Lagos. No wonder, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) last week, awarded the hospital the “2010 Best Healthcare Facility in Lagos State.”

The award, according to officials of the authority during its 5th Lagos Medical Waste Summit tagged; “Healthcare Waste Management: Meeting the challenge” in collaboration with agencies such as Healthcare Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), USAID and the Nigeria Medical Association were to recognise healthcare facilities who stood out during the year in maintaining standards particularly in medical waste management.

Speaking on the efforts made to achieve the high standard of cleanliness and waste management, awards, Dr. Mobolaji Lawal who is also the Medical Director said the management ensured that a health, safety and environment (HSE) Committee of the hospital with the responsibility of monitoring waste management through daily routine checks, among other functions.

He recounted that all members of the staff of the hospital were educated on the importance and process of waste segregation.

Stating that it was not easy to get to where they are now, he said “We usually discuss effective waste management at all our hospital meetings both during clinical meeting, sectional heads meeting, departmental meeting, management meeting and newly employed staff orientation meeting. Patients and victors were informed through clear labeling of the dustbin apart from the colour code. We had difficulty initially with getting the patients and visitors to comply but now even the patient watch and educate each other.”

He described the award as a team work and total adherence to comment from LAWMA. “We always take comment from LAWMA seriously and try our best continuously to correct shortcomings, as we strive towards excellence”

EMEL hospital founded by Olufemi Mobolaji – Lawal was officially declared open by the late Minister of health, Prof. Olikoye Ransome- Kuti. It is the first private hospital in Lagos to be designated Baby Friendly Hospital by the Federal Ministry of Health in 1993.