Improper Waste Disposal Poses Increasing Health Risks in Makeni

October 20, 2024

Improper waste disposal has become a growing concern in Makeni, northern Sierra Leone, as the practice increasingly threatens the environment and public health. The indiscriminate dumping of household trash, medical waste, and plastic is contributing to the spread of diseases like malaria and cholera in the area.

Residents along the Makeni-Lunsar Highway have reported that the waste has attracted large numbers of mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria. This highway, a vital route for business and transportation, has become a hotspot for waste disposal, further exacerbating health risks for those living and working nearby.

Local vendors have expressed concerns about the impact on their businesses, noting that hazardous materials in the waste release toxic fumes, while flies from the dumpsite contaminate their goods. “We bring our products to the market through this road, but the flies from the dumpsite often land on our wares, which affects us and our customers,” said Haja Sankoh, a local vendor.

Many believe that immediate action is necessary to prevent the situation from worsening. “The government and local communities need to address this problem before it spirals further out of control,” one concerned passerby remarked.

As the city continues to grow, the absence of effective waste management and recycling systems only heightens the potential for a public health crisis, with experts warning that the problem could worsen without intervention.