In a bid to enhance sanitation and promote safe medical waste disposal, the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, officially commissioned the use of colour-coded waste bins across its facilities on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. John Okeniyi, described the initiative as a significant step toward maintaining a clean and hygienic hospital environment. He emphasised that proper waste disposal will help reduce the spread of infectious diseases and improve the overall health and well-being of the hospital community.
Also addressing the gathering, the Director of Environmental Health, Mr. Adesuji Adejuwon, noted that this is the first time such a comprehensive waste disposal system is being introduced in the hospital, in alignment with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. He explained the purpose of the different bin colours: red bins are designated for highly infectious waste (blood, amputated part of the body), yellow bins for infectious waste (bandages, soiled linen, expired drugs), and black bins for general waste (Nylon, paper, food debris etc).
Mr. Adejuwon provided a breakdown of the newly available bins as follows:
60-Litre Bins
Black: 58
Yellow: 44
Red: 30
Total: 132
120-Litre Bins
Black: 42
Yellow: 39
Red: 23
Total: 104
In total, 236 bins were procured for use within the hospital premises. Additionally, the hospital received a donation of 12 colour-coded bins—comprising black, yellow, and red—from the Medical Laboratory Science Class of 2004. The donation was made in support of the hospital’s drive toward a cleaner, safer environment.
With the introduction of these waste management tools, OAUTHC is reinforcing its commitment to public health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
