Patients at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos State, have appealed to the Lagos State Government to relocate the dump opposite the hospital.

The patients who spoke during an interview in Lagos said that the stench from the dump was sickening and the heaps of refuse unsightly.

Amina Ayetoro, who accompanied her aged mother to the hospital for treatment, said that having a refuse site close to the facility was not a good image for the hospital.

Mrs Ayetoro said the refusal of the Lagos State government to take a drastic measure on the issue over the years was worrisome.

“People around this area have made a passionate plea to the Lagos State Government to do something about this refuse ground yet nothing has happened to it. The site is close to the hospital and this has a lot of health implications for patients coming to the hospital to seek care,” she said.

Also, Felix Ogu, whose child was on admission at the hospital noted that the stench from the dump during the raining season was always unbearable.

He said, “If you come to this hospital during the rainy season, especially the maternal and child centre building, the stench during that period is terrible. I don’t know if the Lagos State government knows the implications of having a refuse site beside a hospital that caters for the health needs of people in Alimosho”.

Dr Essien Peters, who also went for a check-up at the facility, said it was sad for the dump to be opposite the hospital.

According to him, it will be causing discomfort for patients and workers in the facility, not to talk of residents around the site.

He urged the government to look at possible solutions to address the situation and suggested a relocation of the dump. .

According to the UN Environment Programme, while open dumping is a cost-effective waste management option, it has significant adverse effects on the environment and public health.

Emissions from open dumping, including dioxins, furans, mercury and other hazardous substances, contribute to air, water and soil pollution.

It noted that people working at the sites and surrounding communities face a high risk of inhaling and ingesting toxic substances.

This poses a threat of diseases spreading due to poor sanitation and the presence of insects and vectors.

Studies published in the Journal of Environmental Protection, established that indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in dumpsites located within urban areas has proved to be a problem to nearby residents in most developing cities of the world

It corroborated that open dumps have environmental safeguards as they can pose major public health threats and environmental effects in urban cities.

Results show that both nearby residents and far away residents suffered from related diseases including malaria, chest pains, diarrhoea and cholera, due to the location of the dump closer to their settlements.

UNEP’s approach identified that the solution would be multifaceted extending beyond the closure of open dumpsites.

However, the closure of open dumpsites would significantly contribute to addressing the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and soil contamination.

It would also lead to improved sanitation and water quality, fostering safer working conditions for informal workers and residents.

Studies in ScienceDirect advised that locating dump should be far from residential areas, main roads, among others.

Relocating dumpsites from residential areas and roads is considered the most suitable place for waste-dumping land, with less socio-economic, environmental, and political value.

It added, “Additionally, economic benefits, such as increased job opportunities in the waste management sector, can be anticipated.’’