Kogi Commissions New Incinerators, Moves to Curb Hazardous Medical Waste

Ododo Govt Strengthens Infection Control, Safe Healthcare Waste Disposal

By Rotimi Odofin

LOKOJA — The Kogi State Government has commissioned newly installed healthcare waste incinerators in the state in a renewed push to strengthen infection prevention, environmental sanitation, and the safe disposal of medical waste

The facilities, installed through a collaboration between the Kogi State Ministry of Health and Famkris Healthcare Initiative, were commissioned at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.

Commissioning the facility on behalf of the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Maji Enoch commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his administration’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and promote safer working environments for health workers and patients.

Maji also commended Famkris Healthcare Initiative for supporting the state with the installation of the incinerators, describing proper healthcare waste management as an essential component of public health protection.

He explained that incineration provides a controlled method for disposing of appropriate categories of healthcare waste, while warning health facilities against indiscriminate disposal.

The Permanent Secretary charged all healthcare facilities with access to the newly installed equipment to put them to effective use, stressing that improper disposal of medical waste could expose health workers, patients, surrounding communities and the environment to serious hazards.

He further urged the facilities to operate and maintain the equipment properly, noting that regular maintenance would enhance performance, prolong their lifespan and ensure sustained benefits.

Responding on behalf of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Oluseyi Folagbade, expressed appreciation to the state government for providing the hospital with an incinerator.

Folagbade assured that the facility would be put to effective use and properly maintained in line with its intended purpose.

Also speaking, the Team Lead of Famkris Healthcare Initiative, Dr. Salamatu Yahaya, commended the Kogi State Government for providing an enabling environment for the organisation to implement health interventions across the state.

Yahaya disclosed that the installation of the incinerators was implemented under the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) support to the malaria project.

She said the intervention formed part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, improve infection-control practices and safeguard public health across the state.