By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Health District V has intensified efforts to improve environmental health standards with a capacity-building training for sanitarians on effective healthcare waste management across Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) within the district.
The training, held at the Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat on Thursday, focused on equipping environmental health personnel with the knowledge and skills required for proper waste handling, disposal and compliance with healthcare safety protocols.
Sanitarian Ahoton Thona Jameson, Director of Environmental Health Services and Head of Department, Ikorodu North LCDA, delivered a detailed presentation on healthcare waste management addressing critical areas including waste classification and segregation, collection and storage procedures, transportation and handling, treatment and disposal methods, safety precautions, as well as the responsibilities of Environmental Health Officers in ensuring compliance with approved guidelines.
Speaking during the programme, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District V, described effective healthcare waste management as a vital component of infection prevention, environmental sustainability and quality healthcare delivery urging participants to act as change agents within their various PHCs by promoting strict adherence to healthcare waste management protocols and environmental health standards.
According to Asiyanbi, Health District V must continue to distinguish itself through professionalism, excellence and commitment to best practices in service delivery.
He said, “We must change the narrative in our facilities by ensuring that our environments are clean, safe and conducive to quality healthcare delivery.”
The Permanent Secretary further encouraged participants to share the knowledge acquired during the training with colleagues, stressing that continuous learning and collaboration remain essential to institutional growth and improved healthcare outcomes.
He also reminded the sanitarians to work closely with designated healthcare waste management service providers, noting that the Lagos State Government has made adequate arrangements for the collection and disposal of waste generated across PHCs in the state.
Asiyanbi charged environmental health personnel to maintain professionalism and intensify efforts towards improving sanitation within healthcare facilities and surrounding communities.
He specifically directed that the Iyana-Iba axis should witness noticeable environmental improvement within the next three months, while also advising participants to channel operational needs such as waste bins, containers and disposal bags through their respective Heads of Department.
The Permanent Secretary also called on the officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by the state government, particularly with the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Participants expressed appreciation to the management of Health District V for the training, pledging to implement the knowledge gained in order to maintain cleaner, safer and healthier primary healthcare facilities.
The programme underscored the importance of proper healthcare waste management in preventing infections, safeguarding healthcare workers and patients, reducing pollution and promoting sustainable healthcare practices.