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First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L), receiving an award at the 2nd Lagos Medical Waste Summit.



First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R), discussing with Dr. Muiz Banire during the 2nd Lagos Medical Waste Summit.

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Oct 25, 2007 - 2nd Lagos Medical Waste Summit

This event which has brought all of us here today, the 2nd Lagos Medical Waste Summit is no doubt, a very important initiative and for which the Lagos State Waste Management Authority deserves our commendation. I was reliably informed that this year’s summit which is a follow-up on the resolution of the 1st summit will take a critical look on the progress that has been made by LAWMA in the last one year with regards to sustainable medical waste management in the State.

 

Given the volume of medical waste that are generated in the various healthcare facilities in the state which I am informed are in excess of 3,500, the highest in the federation, and the health hazards posed by improper disposal of these wastes, especially on medical personnel and the larger society, the need for a forum such as this cannot be overemphasized. It is instructive to note that some of the life threatening diseases such as hepatitis B and C as well as some other environmental induced health conditions have been linked to improper healthcare waste management.

 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that our gathering here today is for a very serious purpose which aims at safeguarding the health of our people. It is therefore my hope that this forum which comprises of highly respected personalities, erudite scholars, technocrats, and senior government officials will develop strategies that will address the challenge of efficient and effective medical waste collection and disposal.

 

Finally, I wish to invite your attention to the following issues which I believe are relevant to the achievement of the objectives of this forum.

 

i. The need for all healthcare facilities in the State to adequately train their staff on proper handling, collection and disposal of medical wastes.
ii. The need to discourage use of cart pushers for medical waste collections and
iii. The need for the enactment of appropriate laws that will provide appropriate sanction institution that engages in improper disposal of medical wastes.

 

Once again, I commend the management and staff of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority under the leadership of the Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya for initiating this summit.

 

I thank you for your kind attention. God bless you all.

 

Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State