The Lagos State Government, through its Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has placed hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical waste management operators on high alert following reports of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in parts of East Africa, directing stakeholders to strengthen preventive measures against any potential public health threat.
It stated that the caution is to reinforce preparedness and ensure that critical healthcare and waste management systems remain vigilant against the risk of infectious disease transmission.
The government directed health facilities to reinforce standard infection prevention and control practices, including strict hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of medical specimens, environmental decontamination, and segregation of infectious waste at the point of generation.
Medical waste transporters and handlers were also instructed to adhere strictly to approved procedures for the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of infectious waste while ensuring consistent use of protective gear during operations.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, gave the warning on Saturday as part of the precautionary advisory to health institutions, medical waste handlers, transporters, and treatment operators across the state, urging strict compliance with infection prevention and medical waste management protocols.
He, however, emphasized that there were currently no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria.
“Although there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria, preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in disease prevention.
“We are therefore urging all health facilities and licensed medical waste operators to strengthen infection prevention and control measures and ensure strict compliance with approved medical waste management protocols,” Gbadegesin added.
The development comes amid growing global concern over the resurgence of the deadly viral disease in parts of East Africa, prompting public health authorities in several countries to review surveillance and response mechanisms.
The LAWMA boss noted that effective medical waste management remains a critical component in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers, and the general public from exposure to potentially contaminated materials.
According to him, lapses in waste handling and infection control could undermine public health safeguards and increase vulnerability to disease outbreaks.
Gbadegesin said LAWMA would continue to intensify monitoring, compliance enforcement, and stakeholder engagement to maintain high standards in medical waste management across the state.
He urged health institutions to remain vigilant, review existing infection control procedures, and promptly report any suspected public health concerns through designated channels.
The LAWMA boss further reassured residents that Lagos remained fully prepared to respond to any emerging health threat, noting that the state had sustained robust surveillance and emergency response mechanisms since successfully containing previous outbreaks.
According to him, ongoing training programmes, sensitisation campaigns, and compliance initiatives would be strengthened to ensure that medical waste management systems remain safe, effective, and responsive to evolving public health challenges.