The Lagos Waste Management Authority has issued a precautionary advisory to healthcare facilities and medical waste operators following reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of East Africa.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, announced the directive in a statement on Friday, emphasizing the need for heightened preparedness and strict compliance with infection prevention measures.
Gbadegesin clarified that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos State or anywhere else in Nigeria.
He explained that the advisory was issued as a preventive measure aimed at strengthening public health readiness and ensuring that healthcare institutions remain vigilant.
“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.
The LAWMA boss stressed that effective medical waste management plays a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and safeguarding healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers and the general public.
He urged hospitals, clinics and licensed medical waste operators to strengthen infection prevention and control measures, including strict compliance with approved medical waste handling procedures.
According to him, healthcare facilities should reinforce hand hygiene practices, proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of medical samples and environmental decontamination protocols.
Gbadegesin also highlighted the importance of properly separating infectious waste at the point of generation and ensuring that collection, transportation and disposal processes comply with approved standards.
He further advised waste handlers and transport personnel to consistently wear appropriate protective equipment while carrying out their duties.
The LAWMA chief assured residents that the agency would continue monitoring compliance and engaging stakeholders across the healthcare and waste management sectors to maintain high standards of environmental and public health safety.
He added that Lagos remains on alert for potential public health threats and has strengthened surveillance, preparedness and response mechanisms.
The advisory comes amid growing vigilance by health authorities following reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of East Africa and ongoing efforts by Nigerian agencies to prevent the importation and spread of infectious diseases.
LAWMA said training programmes, public sensitisation campaigns and compliance enforcement initiatives would continue across the state to ensure readiness for any potential public health emergency.
