Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is central to infection prevention and control (IPC) as poor management
exposes health care workers, waste handlers and communities to avoidable injuries and infections. Ensuring
appropriate safe healthcare management of medical waste at health facilities (HF); Nigerian in country capacity
was built through advocacy, training and supportive supervision by PEPFAR funded AIDSTAR-One (previously
Making Medical Injections Safer (MMIS)) project. Though political support differs across states, Lagos state
leads in support towards strengthening their (Health care waste management (HCWM) systems and conducts
annual HCWM summit to create awareness across the country to promote best practices. Geospatial Information
System (GIS) mapping of Health care waste (HCW) treatment equipment in Nigeria was conducted in 2012
to support stakeholders in HCWM planning. Advocacy for national intervention resulted in approval of the
National HCWM policy in September 2013. A 2004 survey had showed 85% of health facilities reported
improper HCWM, whereas a follow up comparative study at AIDSTAR-One focal sites showed significant
improvements. There is weak central direction in strengthening the HCWM systems at all levels, and segregation
commodities are inadequate due to low budgetary allocation.