THE DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL WASTES IN HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

 ABSTRACT

The study investigated the disposal of medical wastes in health institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria. It involves visitation, survey work which entails administration of questionnaire and library study to gather information which includes type of waste, volume of waste generated and the disposal system adopted by the health institution. The project involved the visitation of clinics, private and public hospitals in various local government in Ekiti State. The types of medical wastes examined in the course of this study includes regulated wastes, infectious wastes, sharps, chemicals and some other medical wastes. The disposal system adopted by most clinics were road side refuse dumps while most private hospital adopt burning method of disposal and most public hospital adopt the use of waste management bins. It was concluded that medical waste disposal in Ekiti State is inadequate and can be improved by enforcement of use of waste management bins in all health institutions in all local government of the state.