Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, a lecturer at the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has stressed the importance of effective hospital waste segregation, describing it as critical to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in healthcare facilities.
Abubakar made the remarks on Wednesday at the conclusion of a three-day capacity-building training for health workers on Infection Prevention and Control, organized by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Programme at ATBU’s College of Medical Sciences.
He explained that waste segregation involves separating and sorting different categories of hospital waste at the point of generation to ensure hazardous materials receive appropriate handling and disposal.
“Proper segregation significantly reduces the risk of infection, protects healthcare workers and patients, and lowers the overall cost and danger associated with waste management,” Abubakar said.
He noted that successful healthcare waste management largely depends on correct segregation, a responsibility that lies primarily with healthcare providers as the primary waste generators. He warned that improper segregation exposes hospitals to environmental contamination and increases the spread of healthcare-associated infections.
The ATBU lecturer outlined the key stages of hospital waste management, including surveying waste types, segregation, collection, categorization, storage, transportation, treatment, and final disposal. He emphasized that each stage must be carefully implemented to ensure safety and compliance with best practices.
On waste transportation, Abubakar explained that vehicles and equipment must minimize spillage, disturbance, and human contact. Within hospital premises, push carts, waste trolleys, and wheelbarrows are commonly used, while cycle rickshaws or specialized waste vehicles transport biomedical waste to final disposal sites outside hospital grounds.
Participants at the training included healthcare workers from the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and the Emergency Paediatric/Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), as well as staff from the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi.
Dr. Jamilu Yahaya, Lead Community Engagement Officer of CHAMPS, said the training was designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills in infection prevention and safe waste management, particularly in sensitive paediatric and maternal care settings.
