The Lagos State Government has received a modern healthcare waste incinerator from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), marking a major boost to Lagos’s waste management and safe medical waste disposal across primary health facilities.
Eko Hot News reports that the equipment, already installed at the Agboyi-Ketu Primary Health Care Centre, is expected to significantly enhance the State’s capacity to handle infectious and hazardous healthcare waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Dr Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, mni, described the UNICEF donation as a timely and strategic intervention that strengthens primary healthcare delivery in Lagos.
He stressed that effective healthcare waste management is essential to safeguarding patients, frontline workers, and the environment, noting that the new incinerator will reduce the dangers associated with improper disposal of hazardous medical materials.
“This UNICEF-donated incinerator is an investment in safer healthcare service delivery and a strong reinforcement of our commitment to environmental protection,” he said.
Dr Mustafa highlighted the Lagos State Government’s continued drive to build a resilient primary healthcare system compliant with national waste management guidelines. He pointed to ongoing reforms in infection prevention, environmental safety, and strict medical waste handling protocols across primary healthcare centres.
He added that the installation aligns with Lagos’s broader goal of improving service quality, safety standards, and accountability within the health sector.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable health outcomes, applauding UNICEF for its consistent support in immunisation, maternal and child health, health data strengthening, and now healthcare waste management.
He pledged that the State Government will guarantee the incinerator’s appropriate use, ongoing upkeep, and long-term viability, including regular monitoring and employee training.
Dr Mustafa appreciated the cooperation of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and emphasised that community involvement and local government leadership are crucial to sustainable healthcare waste management in Lagos.
He concluded by revealing that at least two additional incinerators will be installed in other parts of the State to strengthen healthcare waste management infrastructure further.
