Characterization and management of solid medical wastes in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria.

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 2.78 kg 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.