Abstract:

A strong healthcare system is known by efficiency in service delivery through its individual components. The poor quality service delivery by any of these components is a reflection of the degree of its weakness. To achieve a strong health system that will provide efficient and effective health services, there must be a deliberate effort towards strengthening the system and continuous improvement of quality of services in each component at all levels. Previous studies in some hospitals in central and southern parts of Nigeria revealed poor knowledge and waste management practices. The study was undertaken to assess healthcare waste handling practices in some selected hospitals in Jalingo Taraba state and appraise how the poor health system is reflected in this area of service delivery. The assessment was conducted by extensive review of literature on Nigerian health system as relates to healthcare waste management practices; and by direct observation of waste handling practices in those hospitals, compared to standard practices of healthcare waste management. The results revealed that the healthcare waste management in those health facilities is far below WHO standards. This is attributable to the weak and poor healthcare system in the state and the country. Having an implementable hospital waste management plan, training healthcare workers of all cadres on proper waste management and regular supervision by health facility management were recommended as measures to improve healthcare waste management in the state, which is also a way of health system strengthening through this aspect of service delivery.

Keywords: Healthcare, Inefficiency, Waste Management, Quality Service, System Strengthening.

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