NESREA urges health facilities to prioritize environmental, health safety
The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor wants healthcare facilities to adhere strictly to the provisions of the healthcare sector regulations in order to safeguard human health and the environment.
Dr. Barikor, made the call on Tuesday 6 November 2024 in Abuja, while delivering a Keynote Address at Safe Serve Sensitization and Training on Healthcare Plastics Waste Management in Public and Private Hospitals,” organized by Untold Team and Network Ltd.
The Director General, represented by the Director, Partnership and Education in NESREA, Mrs. Bintu Kolo Mohammed , emphasized that improper disposal of plastics waste within the health sector could lead to fatal and undesired consequences.
He said, “when not properly managed, these plastics contribute significantly to environmental pollution, with adverse effects reaching far beyond the healthcare sector. Improperly disposed plastics, such as syringes, vials, packaging materials and gloves, pose risks to human health, contaminate our soil and water, and harm wildlife and biodiversity.”
The NESREA boss urged strict compliance with the provisions of the National Environmental (Healthcare Waste Control) Regulations, and other relevant regulations and guidelines, which provide the best practices for waste management within the healthcare sector.
In a presentation titled, “The Hidden Dangers of Reusing Plastic Bottles in Hospitals
The Risks, Impacts, and Safe Alternatives,” the Executive Director, Healthline Foundation, USA, Dr. Uche Ibeh outlined the dangers of reusing plastic bottles in healthcare facilities.
She encouraged healthcare facilities to avoid reuse of disposable plastic bottles, observe the right protocols in waste handling, regularly sensitize staff on best practices and invest in safer, reusable materials.
Participation at the event was drawn from public and private health care facilities in the Federal Capital Territory.
