NEWS RELEASE
May 14, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP URGES AQUINO TO STICK TO PROMISE
Environmental-health concern should be Universal Health Care’s backbone
Cagayan de Oro City – ‘Thy will be done but do not forget your promise’ says environmental health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) as they call on presidential frontrunner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to put mercury phase-out and other environmental health issues a priority agenda in his 1st 100 days in office. The group likewise calls on the new administration to make environmental health concern part of the universal health care platform of the Aquino Health Agenda (AHA).
“The words of the new president of the country are as good as law,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “If mercury phase-out will be in his top agenda, the country will be free of mercury devices in a span of a few months, greatly surpassing the global target of mercury phase-out by 2017.”
“We also would like to remind Sen. Aquino of his promise that the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to health and the environment and how to address them will be a priority under the health and environment agenda of his Administration” added Ferrer.
A week before the election, HCWH-SEA released that names of presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com). Of the nine presidential bets, only Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas signed the Covenant. Aquino did not but instead send a letter promising support to the campaign.
The Covenant signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“The stage has been set for total mercury phase-out,” says Ferrer referring to Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order (AO) 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by September 2010 as well as the global movement to phase-out mercury. “We do not just want to be a model to other 3rd world countries. We want to show Sen. Aquino that mercury phase-out is achievable given the alternatives available in the country, as well as examples of hospitals who have shifted to mercury alternatives.”
Philippines is the 1st Southeast Asian country and the 1st developing country to have a national policy on mercury phase-out. “The target is total phase-out by September or at least 85% mercury phase-out with the remaining 15% on its way to phase-out,” said Ferrer.
“While we laud the three basics of AHA (universal health care, access to health through improved health infrastructure and a holistic and comprehensive health care system), we would like to reiterate that environmental health should be at its backbone,” pointed out Ferrer.
Under universal health care as the corner stone of health agenda, the target is to achieve universal health care in three years time or less. It added that universal health care should mean that cardholders will not merely get the card but the essential health services, basic medicines and appropriate quality health care.
“At the heart of providing essential health services, we need to recognize that sadly some of the devices found in a health care setting may not always be good for our health,” said Ferrer referring to mercury thermometers which for years had been considered the gold standard but just recently the health sector is fast tracking its phase-out.
The group likewise cited harmful chemicals used in health care which may be polluting and poisoning the water system.
For access to health through improved health infrastructure, the Aquino platform promises to fund 22,000 more barangay health stations, 3,000 more outpatient Rural Health Units and at least 150 more district hospitals.
“Again this is another laudable plan.” She cautions, “In building new health infrastructures, let us think long-term. Yes, we are building to provide for the health needs of all Filipinos, yet let us not forget sustainability. Are the new structures responsive to climate change?” asked Ferrer. “Again being responsive to climate change does not mean we will use expensive materials. Simple modifications in the design of the building so that it is energy efficient and more beneficial to the well-being of the patient and health workers must be considered.”
The AHA likewise promises to implement all the benefits stipulated in the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. Primary goal of the Magna Carta is promotion of social and economic well-being of health workers.
“Occupational safety may be addressed by again looking at the hazards within a health facility. These hazards may include toxic substances used in health care.”
Last, AHA aims to increase the health budget to at least 5% of the national budget as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). For 2010, of the Php1.541 trillion national budget, only Php33.678 billion is allocated to health or 2.2% of the national budget.
“Now that the new administration is considering a budget increase for health, we are reminding the new President to always look at the environmental-health aspect of every health policy. Environment and health can no longer be separated. The last we want is to make purchases and improvements which we will later regret because it failed to consider the correlation between health and environment.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
PRESIDENT DECIDES FATE OF MERCURY
NEWS RELEASE
May 5, 2010
PRESIDENT DECIDES FATE OF MERCURY
Health sector’s prescription: Choose your president wisely
Environmental-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today released the names of the presidential bets that the health sector concerned with environment would “most likely support.” The health sector, for their part, sent out their prescription: Choose your next president wisely.
Among the presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant are Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas.
“The health sector is more than glad that these presidential aspirants have taken a keen interest in greening our health care,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care.
Former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino did not respond while Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan and Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD did not sign. Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, did not sign the Covenant and instead sent a letter thru his campaign manager Florencio Abad expressing support to achieve a healthy environment for all Filipinos. The letter says, the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to the health and the environment and how to address them will definitely be a priority under the health and environment agenda of the Aquino-Roxas administration.
“We would have wanted Sen. Aquino to sign the Covenant for we know that a Covenant, just like a contract, is far more binding than a letter of promise. But we will definitely follow-up on his letter,” said Ferrer.
The Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com) signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“It is good to see who will take on the challenge of greening the health care system once elected,” said Ferrer. “While we already have an Administrative Order mandating the phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, the next President’s readiness to address the issue is crucial in attaining our goal of a mercury-free Philippines and a greener health care.”
The many shades of green health
Greening the health care is no easy task. In the regional conferences organized by HCWH-SEA and DoH-Center for Health Development, among the issues raised on mercury phase-out are lack of funding, information dissemination and disposal.
Few months before the September 2010 deadline for mercury phase-out, majority of health facilities controlled by the local government units (LGU) are unaware of the existence of the AO.
While the DoH is keen on phasing-out mercury in the health sector, most particularly from the DoH-controlled hospitals, the absence of suitable disposal area remains an issue. AO 21 mandates that phased-out mercury devices must be stored in a safe place within the hospital facility.
“However, there is a need to find a more centralized intermediate storage where all the devices phased-out from hospitals and even households may be sent. This storage may also be used to store other mercury-containing devices beyond those used in the health care,” Ferrer pointed out.
While waiting on the intermediate storage area, the group advises households to stop using existing mercurial devices at home and to store it in a safe place at home.
In terms of chemical safety, chemicals that are harmful to health are still prevalently used in health care. Some of these toxic chemicals are methylacrylate, xylene, organic solvents, formaldehyde and cleaning and sterilizing compounds such as ethylene oxide, sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, and phenols.
“Sterilizing agents like Cidex contain glutaraldehyde and fixatives for tissues have formaldehyde while benzene- and phenol-containing cleaners are all carcinogenic,” Ferrer explained.
Talking of climate change, “I am sure that after months of campaigning and sorties under the intense heat of the sun, our presidential bets are more than aware of climate change and its impact,” Ferrer said. “The health sector, being an energy intensive industry may contribute to lessening the impacts of climate change thru simple modifications within their facility. We need a President who will support these endeavors,” she added.
“Waste disposal is another issue. Although wastes generated from hospitals are but a small portion of general wastes, we have to remember that in aiming for a zero waste country, we need to address the small but just as important issue of medical waste.”
“We need a President who will address these issues head on. He/she must be willing and able to look at the issues and act. The new President should be able to provide a situation where the attainment of these goals is within reach,” Ferrer pointed out.
“We know that there are myriads of other issues out there but if the new President will take the time to look into environmental health issues on his first 100 days in office, he is not just addressing environmental health concerns but public health as well. He may even be contributing to the limited national budget by preventing occurrence of envi-related diseases and thus extending the budget to other immediate health concerns.”
Although not as obvious as hunger or nutrition problems, environmental health issue greatly impacts the public health. According to the 2006 World Bank (WB) Philippines Environment Monitor, globally it is estimated that 24% of the disease burden and 23% of premature deaths could be avoided through a better environment. In the Philippines, environment-related health risks (air pollution, water pollution, sanitation and hygiene practices) account for an estimated 22% of the reported disease cases and nearly six percent of reported deaths and costing Php14.3 billion (US$287 million) per year in lost income and medical expenses.
Voting wisely
Now that the signatories know who among the Presidential bets will take on environmental health issue, will this change their mind when they cast their votes on May 10?
“This will definitely influence the people’s choice. Even though you have previously selected your candidate, you will think twice when you know that your choice is not supportive of environmental health concerns,” said Edgardo F. Faustino, MD, FPCP, President of Philippine College of Physician-Southern Luzon Chapter. “The key is to choose and vote wisely. And whoever wins in May, we need to continue to push forward our call to a greener health care.”
Signatories of the Covenant include health care practitioners from the Philippine Army, members of the Philippine Society of Pathologists, Philippine College of Physicians and health workers from different parts of the country.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
May 5, 2010
PRESIDENT DECIDES FATE OF MERCURY
Health sector’s prescription: Choose your president wisely
Environmental-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today released the names of the presidential bets that the health sector concerned with environment would “most likely support.” The health sector, for their part, sent out their prescription: Choose your next president wisely.
Among the presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant are Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas.
“The health sector is more than glad that these presidential aspirants have taken a keen interest in greening our health care,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care.
Former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino did not respond while Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan and Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD did not sign. Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, did not sign the Covenant and instead sent a letter thru his campaign manager Florencio Abad expressing support to achieve a healthy environment for all Filipinos. The letter says, the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to the health and the environment and how to address them will definitely be a priority under the health and environment agenda of the Aquino-Roxas administration.
“We would have wanted Sen. Aquino to sign the Covenant for we know that a Covenant, just like a contract, is far more binding than a letter of promise. But we will definitely follow-up on his letter,” said Ferrer.
The Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com) signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“It is good to see who will take on the challenge of greening the health care system once elected,” said Ferrer. “While we already have an Administrative Order mandating the phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, the next President’s readiness to address the issue is crucial in attaining our goal of a mercury-free Philippines and a greener health care.”
The many shades of green health
Greening the health care is no easy task. In the regional conferences organized by HCWH-SEA and DoH-Center for Health Development, among the issues raised on mercury phase-out are lack of funding, information dissemination and disposal.
Few months before the September 2010 deadline for mercury phase-out, majority of health facilities controlled by the local government units (LGU) are unaware of the existence of the AO.
While the DoH is keen on phasing-out mercury in the health sector, most particularly from the DoH-controlled hospitals, the absence of suitable disposal area remains an issue. AO 21 mandates that phased-out mercury devices must be stored in a safe place within the hospital facility.
“However, there is a need to find a more centralized intermediate storage where all the devices phased-out from hospitals and even households may be sent. This storage may also be used to store other mercury-containing devices beyond those used in the health care,” Ferrer pointed out.
While waiting on the intermediate storage area, the group advises households to stop using existing mercurial devices at home and to store it in a safe place at home.
In terms of chemical safety, chemicals that are harmful to health are still prevalently used in health care. Some of these toxic chemicals are methylacrylate, xylene, organic solvents, formaldehyde and cleaning and sterilizing compounds such as ethylene oxide, sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, and phenols.
“Sterilizing agents like Cidex contain glutaraldehyde and fixatives for tissues have formaldehyde while benzene- and phenol-containing cleaners are all carcinogenic,” Ferrer explained.
Talking of climate change, “I am sure that after months of campaigning and sorties under the intense heat of the sun, our presidential bets are more than aware of climate change and its impact,” Ferrer said. “The health sector, being an energy intensive industry may contribute to lessening the impacts of climate change thru simple modifications within their facility. We need a President who will support these endeavors,” she added.
“Waste disposal is another issue. Although wastes generated from hospitals are but a small portion of general wastes, we have to remember that in aiming for a zero waste country, we need to address the small but just as important issue of medical waste.”
“We need a President who will address these issues head on. He/she must be willing and able to look at the issues and act. The new President should be able to provide a situation where the attainment of these goals is within reach,” Ferrer pointed out.
“We know that there are myriads of other issues out there but if the new President will take the time to look into environmental health issues on his first 100 days in office, he is not just addressing environmental health concerns but public health as well. He may even be contributing to the limited national budget by preventing occurrence of envi-related diseases and thus extending the budget to other immediate health concerns.”
Although not as obvious as hunger or nutrition problems, environmental health issue greatly impacts the public health. According to the 2006 World Bank (WB) Philippines Environment Monitor, globally it is estimated that 24% of the disease burden and 23% of premature deaths could be avoided through a better environment. In the Philippines, environment-related health risks (air pollution, water pollution, sanitation and hygiene practices) account for an estimated 22% of the reported disease cases and nearly six percent of reported deaths and costing Php14.3 billion (US$287 million) per year in lost income and medical expenses.
Voting wisely
Now that the signatories know who among the Presidential bets will take on environmental health issue, will this change their mind when they cast their votes on May 10?
“This will definitely influence the people’s choice. Even though you have previously selected your candidate, you will think twice when you know that your choice is not supportive of environmental health concerns,” said Edgardo F. Faustino, MD, FPCP, President of Philippine College of Physician-Southern Luzon Chapter. “The key is to choose and vote wisely. And whoever wins in May, we need to continue to push forward our call to a greener health care.”
Signatories of the Covenant include health care practitioners from the Philippine Army, members of the Philippine Society of Pathologists, Philippine College of Physicians and health workers from different parts of the country.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
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