Restraining COVID-19: Management of Hospital Waste in Post Pandemic Setting in West Africa

Abstract

Emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) becomes the novel scenario to the face of the Earth where people must learn to live with. This paper reviewed some indispensable environmental management issues during the post-COVID-19 pandemic in Africa with specific reference to hospital waste management in Nigeria. Though not exhaustible, the study assesses how hospital waste and other environmental priorities will adversely help the restraining of the COVID-19 pandemic. In most West African communities where financial and technological challenges are evident, the management of these essential environmental issues requires a coordinated and prompt response from various authorities. Moreover, the provision of sufficient funding is central to every aspect of hospital waste management, therefore, this study suggests the need for thorough informative awareness programs as a panacea since the success of managing these key environmental issues is directly connected to the containment of this pandemic to a minimal level.