Nairobi County has announced a new schedule for medical waste collection, assigning specific days to its North, South, East, and West zones. This move aims to prevent waste accumulation and improve treatment logistics. The schedule is part of the draft Healthcare Waste Management Policy for 2026, which seeks to enhance the management of medical waste in the county. The policy proposes a zoning system to shorten transport distances and lower exposure risks during transit.
The four zones – Nairobi North, South, East, and West – will each have a dedicated collection day. Nairobi North, covering Ruaraka, Kamukunji, and Kasarani, will see waste collected every Monday. This zone will have its medical waste transported to Pumwani Maternity for treatment. The designated collection days aim to ensure that medical waste is disposed of promptly and efficiently.
Nairobi South, which includes Dagoreti, is slated for Tuesday collections, with waste transported to Mutuini Hospital for treatment. Nairobi East – Embakasi West, Embakasi East, and Makadara – will be serviced on Wednesdays, with waste taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. This schedule will help prevent overflow and environmental contamination at health facilities.
Nairobi West, comprising Starehe, Langata, and Westlands, will have its medical waste collected on Fridays, with waste transported to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment. The draft policy notes that adherence to the schedule is essential to avoid overflow and environmental contamination at health facilities. The policy also proposes a standardized handling system for medical waste.
The proposed standardized handling system requires infectious waste to be placed in yellow containers and collected once three-quarters full or at least daily. This system aims to ensure that medical waste is handled and disposed of safely. The policy also addresses segregation, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste.
The zoning system aims to shorten transport distances, improve referral of waste for treatment, and lower exposure risks during transit. By having designated collection days and treatment facilities, the county hopes to improve the overall management of medical waste. The draft policy is expected to be implemented soon, with the county hoping to reduce the risks associated with medical waste.
The introduction of fixed medical waste collection days is a significant step towards improving healthcare waste management in Nairobi County. The county hopes that this new schedule will help prevent waste buildup and improve treatment logistics. The policy is part of broader efforts to enhance the management of medical waste in the county and reduce the risks associated with it.
Key points
- Nairobi County introduces fixed medical waste collection days for facilities in four zones.
- The schedule aims to prevent waste accumulation and improve treatment logistics.
- A standardized handling system is proposed, requiring infectious waste to be placed in yellow containers.
