Health Crisis Looms in Lagos and Abuja Due to Improper Waste Management

Nigerian cities like Lagos and Abuja are grappling with a severe health crisis as they are inundated with solid waste, leading to detrimental impacts on human health and the environment. Dr. Ruedig Krech, the Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Change at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the urgent need for effective waste management to mitigate health risks.

Improper waste disposal practices, including littering, dumping, and burning of waste, contribute to air, water, soil pollution, and pose health hazards to communities living near waste sites. The report underscores the critical role of the health sector in addressing solid waste management as a public health threat, advocating for safer waste disposal methods and investment in cleaner technologies.

It calls for a coordinated effort involving government, private sector, and communities to adopt sustainable waste management practices to protect public health and the environment.