1Biological Sciences Department, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria A REVIEW ON BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS IN NIGERIA *IMAM, T. S.1 and SANI, M.2 1Biological Sciences Department, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria 2Department of Home Economics, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria *Corresponding Author’s E-mail: tsimam.bio@buk.edu.ng A Paper Presented during the 1st International Faculty of Science Conference held @ North West University, Kano 9th – 12th November, 2015

Introduction Rapid population growth coupled with concomitant increases in the demand for healthcare services has led to new and more complex societal problems. One such difficulty according to Askarian, et al. (2011) is the proper management of biomedical wastes produced during diagnosis and treatment at healthcare institution and facilities. As a result, lots of problems can manifest if biomedical waste (BMW) is not properly managed. Understanding BMW, it’s constitutes, and how it can be managed will surely save the health workers, patients (from nosocomial infections), environment and by extension the community from its hazardous effects.

Definitions of BMW According to Rehman, et al., (2014) BMW is any solid and/or liquid waste including its container and any intermediate product, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals”. Matin, (2006) is of the view that medical waste is composed of waste that is generated or produced as a result of any of the following actions: diagnosis, production or testing of biological, accumulation of properly contained home-generated sharps waste, and removal of a regulated waste from a trauma scene by a trauma waste management practitioner.

Producers of BMW Common producers of biomedical waste contain hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, laboratories, offices of physicians, dental, and veterinarians, house health care, and funeral homes. Since BMW is almost generated everywhere knowledge of its management certainly, becomes very important.

Steps in Biomedical Waste Management Setting up of a “waste management” working group. Waste survey Waste segregation Storage Treatment Transportation and final disposal. Training.

Coding recommendations (WHO, 2005): Type of waste Colour coding and symbol Type of container 0. House hold refuse Black Plastic bag 1. Sharps Yellow Puncture proof sharps container 2a. Waste entailing a risk of contamination b. Anatomical waste Plastic bag or container 2c. Infectious waste Marked “highly infectious” Plastic bag or container which can be autoclaved 3. Chemical pharmaceutical waste Brown, marked with suitable symbol Plastic bag, container

BEST MANAGEMENT OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE to achieve best management of biomedical waste there is need for: A. Minimization of waste Whereas regular solid and liquid waste requires no treatment before disposal, virtually all contagious waste should first be treated. B. Management of Plastics Wastes Disposable syringes, blood bags and urine bags, surgical gloves, catheters, etc. are some of the examples of plastic in health care.

Constraints and Challenges to BMWM in Nigeria Nigeria, like in most other developing countries, lacks specific strategy for HCW management and there is limited information on HCW management in the country (Longe and Williams, 2006). Nigeria is facing a lot of problems that prevent proper management of biomedical waste, these problems include: absent of legislation, inadequate facilities such as incinerators, insufficient funding, low risk awareness especially among the BMW generators and handlers.

Constraints and Challenges to BMWM in Nigeria (contd) Many developed and even some developing countries have policies and guidelines for management of BMW. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, although there is a Draft National Health Care Waste Management Regulations which is an integral part of National Healthcare Waste Management Plan, but the document is yet to become a law let alone being binding on all HCFs across the country to implement recommendations provided there in.

Conclusion Management of biomedical waste is one very important aspect of solid waste management that received less attention in developing countries such as Nigeria, although health care waste is one of the most hazardous waste produced by human beings. The major constraints to management of biomedical waste in Nigeria are: absent of well legislated guidelines for health care waste, funding and low risk awareness as can be seen in the way and manner in which the waste is handled and disposed.

References Askarian, M., Motazedian, N. and Palenic, C.J. (2011). Clinical Laboratory Waste Management in Shiraz, Iran. Waste management and research; 30(6): 631- 634. Longe, E.O., and Williams, A. (2006). A preliminary study on medical waste management in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering,, 3(3): 1333-139. Matin, K. (2006). University of California, Irvine Medical Waste Management Plan.pp.1-5 World Health Organization (2005). Management of Solid Health – Care Waste at Primary Health – Care Centers, a Decision-Making Guide. Geneva.

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