Background: Medical establishment such as hospitals and research institutes generate sizable amount of hazardous waste. Health care
workers, patients are at risk of acquiring infection from sharps and contamination of environment with multiple drug resistant
microorganisms if wastes are not properly managed.
Objectives: To characterize types and evaluate waste disposal techniques employed in the management of solid medical wastes in five
selected hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,
Methods: This was a cross section study involving the use of questionnaires, in-depth interview, meetings, discussions and participant
observed strategy. It also involved the collection, sorting (segregation), identification and characterization and weighing of waste types
from wards and units in the selected hospitals.
Results: The average waste generation rate per bed/day was determined and found to be 2.78kg of solid waste, 26.5% of the total
waste was hazardous in nature. Waste segregation was found not to be practiced by any of the hospitals surveyed, 18.3% of the hospitals
incinerated waste in a locally built brick incinerator; 9.1% bury; 36.3% burn waste in open pits while 36.3% dispose of a waste into
municipal dumpsites.
Conclusion: Waste management officers do not have formal training in waste management techniques; and hospital administrators pay
very little attention to appropriate management of medical waste. Therefore, we must educate waste generators of their responsibility
to properly manage the waste so that their staff, patients, environment and community is protected.