Thursday, November 24, 2011

MARINDUQUE GEARS UP FOR MERCURY-FREE HEALTH CARE: Bringing mercury-free system at the heart of the country

Boac, Marinduque - In a continuous bid to make the Philippines 100% mercury-free, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today turns-over non mercurial thermometers to the Province of Marinduque, the province that seats at the heart of the country.

“This is a very symbolic event,” said Merci Ferrer, HCWH-SEA’s Executive Director. “If we make the heart of the country mercury-free, how can we not make the whole country 100% mercury-free?”

The non-mercurial thermometers from OMRON Healthcare, a partner of HCWH-SEA in the mercury campaign, are turned over to the Office of Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes for distribution to the 6 municipalities and the Provincial Health Office.

“We support the initiative of the province to encourage their hospitals to shun away from mercury and to serve as a model to other local government units,” said Ferrer.

In July, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region passed two resolutions pertaining to the mercury issue. RDC MIMAROPA is chaired by Gov. Reyes.

Formed in the early 1970s, the RDC which is under the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) serves as the regional machinery to coordinate national and local government activities particularly in formulating and implementing development plans and programs for the region.

RDC Resolution No. 036-208-2011 bans the entry of mercury in all Philippine markets with reference to the Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order 2008-0021 on the phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by 2010.

RDC Resolution No. 036-209-2011 requests the DENR-EMB to formulate procedures and guidelines pertaining to storage/disposal of mercury in support.

“We commend Marinduque and the whole of MIMAROPA region,” said Ferrer. Both Resolutions will be furnished to all RDCs to enjoin them to concur with its objectives and likewise come-up with a similar resolution.

“Further, the resolution on mercury storage addresses the issue beyond mercury in health care,” said Ferrer. The Resolution on mercury storage will deal with both health care facilities and mining companies’ safe storage of mercury and mercury-containing devices.

“We likewise commend Dir. Gloria J. Balboa, Regional Director of DoH-Center for Health Development-IV-B, for bringing the mercury issue to the attention of the RDC and for actively working for mercury-free health care,” said Ferrer. “We are positive that this will serve as an impetus for the other RDCs to play a big role in the mercury phase-out in health care and beyond,” Ferrer added. “This is a good way for us to end the year and we are hopeful with Marinduque and MIMAROPA’s precedent, all the regions in the country will be geared up for mercury-free Philippines.”

The RDC also serves as a forum to raise and discuss regional development issues and concerns. Likewise, it serves as a venue where national development is translated into specific regions and local objectives. It provides the mechanism to raise local and regional issues to the attention of the national government.

Photo caption: To a mercury-free Marinduque. Representatives of rural health units from the different municipalities of Marinduque receive non-mercurial thermometer from Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia and OMRON Healthcare. (center: Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA, right: Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes)

Media Contacts:

Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369

Merci Ferrer, +63 9209056113

HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visitwww.noharm.org/seasia

Monday, November 14, 2011

‘SHOULD HAVE BEEN A KNOCK-OUT’ FOR INCINERATOR PROJECTS

For five consecutive years, environmental-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) once again called on the executive and legislative governments for the debt cancellation of a 15-year old medical waste incineration project that continues to be a huge burden to the people.

“Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the P503-million Austrian Medical Waste Incinerator Project that provided medical waste incinerators to 26 public hospitals around the country,” said HCWH-SEA’s Merci Ferrer. “Another year will pass and we are still paying for a loan that should have been diverted to other health care needs and services.

The Philippine and Austrian Governments entered into the loan to help in the proper disposal of medical waste. In 1999, however, the Philippines successfully banned the use of incinerators for general wastes and subsequently the use of incinerators for medical waste in 2003. The country remains the only country in the world to ban incinerators. However, the government continues to pay close to US$2 million every year and is set to pay until 2014.

Government agencies such as the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) lack the initiative to explore other alternative technologies to properly handle waste,” said Ferrer. “They seem bent on pushing for the incineration of medical wastes when hospitals all over the country have proven that proper waste management is possible without resorting back to incineration,” she added.

In 2007, HCWH-SEA together with the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) for health groups lobbied the national government for a P100 million fund to be part of the DoH 2008 budget for the purchase of autoclaves that will be used to disinfect wastes,” said Ferrer. The allocation was approved and included in the 2008 General Appropriations Act but was never released to date.

“P100 million is a small amount of money compared to the billions of loans and ‘investments’ that the government is entering to bring back incinerators,” said Ferrer. “…or even compared to the US$2 million we are allocating for incinerator debt payments.

“Studies show that 80% of hospital wastes are regular wastes and treatment technologies are needed only for the remaining 15 to 20% infectious wastes,” said Ferrer. “Proper waste management is our best and only option.”

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) posted a factsheet highlighting health impacts, risk associated, reasons for failure and steps towards improvement on health care waste management.

According to the WHO factsheet, among the reasons for the failure in health care waste management is the lack of awareness about the health hazards related to health care waste, inadequate training in proper waste management, absence of waste management and disposal systems, insufficient financial and human resources and the low priority given to the issue. It added that many countries do not have appropriate regulations or do not enforce them.

“Indeed we have existing policies but strong will is lacking,” said Ferrer again citing recent moves by the Congress to revive incineration of waste particularly medical waste. “We have banned incinerators long time ago because we know that incineration is harmful and that there are safer alternatives available in handling our wastes. There are in fact safe, less costly alternative systems and technologies such as autoclaves and microwaves that are being used by hospitals. What we need is the government’s support to public health care facilities and to encourage investments on safe alternatives.”

The factsheet pushes for three key elements in improving health care waste management. These include: (1) building a comprehensive system, addressing responsibilities, resource allocation, handling and disposal, (2) raising awareness of the risks related to the health care waste and of safe and sound practices, and (3) selecting safe and environmentally-friendly management options to protect people from hazards when collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste.

Government commitment and support is crucial towards an improved health care. “We reiterate that our government should stop the payment of the unscrupulous debt,” said Ferrer. “The money that we are allocating for this payment should be used to fund other health care needs and improvements in health care waste management.”

HCWH-SEA also cited a report submitted in September by the Special Rapporteur to the United Nations Human Rights Council calling for an end to the incineration of medical waste in order to protect human health and the environment.

The campaign against medical waste incineration in the Philippines is taking grounds with hospitals making their strong case against any form of medical waste incineration revival. Recently more than 10 hospitals unfurled a banner that says Incineration harms, Burn not in their façade. Twenty personalities from politics, entertainment and cause-oriented groups also made their strong statement against incineration in a 3-part Public Service Announcement dubbed Burn Not.

Copies of the reports are available at:

Toxic Debt: The Onerous Austrian Legacy of Medical Waste Incineration in the Philippines

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights

Medical Waste and Human Rights: Submission to the UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur

Waste from health-care activities (WHO Factsheet)

Media Contacts:

Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369

Merci Ferrer, +63 9209056113

HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visit www.noharm.org/seasia

Friday, October 28, 2011

BURN NOT, GOV’T WARNED


Amidst on-going push from different government sectors to amend the Philippine Clean Air Act, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today released a 3-part Public Service Announcement on incineration. ‘Burn Not’ cautions the national government to stop burning and the local governments to shun from legitimizing waste-to-energy or “incinerators-in-disguise” contracts recently signed by different LGUs, particularly in Mindanao.

Incineration Harms, Burn Not, participated in by 20 entertainment, politics and cause-oriented personalities reminding the public of the evils of incineration, is currently being played in the waiting rooms of 13 private and government-owned hospitals. A copy of the PSAs will also be sent to government officials most particularly PNoy, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, and DENR Sec. Ramon Paje.

“When other countries are moving away from incineration, we ask,” says HCWH-SEA Executive Director Merci Ferrer, “why are we going back to burning?”

The Philippines is the 1st country in the world to ban incineration. In the 2004 Philippines Measles Eradication Campaign (PMEC), the country demonstrated that there are viable alternatives to burning wastes. As a result, the Philippines became the first country to deal with waste from a nationwide vaccination program without resorting to incineration or open burning.

“Burning is not the answer to our waste problem,” Ferrer said. “What we need is stricter implementation of the law.” The group cited that several incineration-in-disguise projects abound in the country which is a “complete violation of the law.”

“We want our officials to see these videos and really understand what we mean when we say ‘incineration harms’.”

The videos aim to go viral and call for national and international support against incineration.

The 1st video disputes claims that incineration is the answer to lessening the volume of wastes. According to the video, the volume of wastes may have decreased but dioxins and furans remain exposing the public to the most toxic substances known to man. The 2nd part went on to emphasize that there are cleaner and safer alternatives that are already being used in the country and worldwide. The last part showed that incineration in fact makes its users losers. The group cited the US$2 million debt that the country is still paying for 26 defunct medical waste incinerators. These were retired following the ban on medical waste incineration. But prior to the ban, the incinerators were already found to have failed the “acceptable” emission levels.

Along with the videos, a copy of the report to the UN Human Rights Council of Special Rapporteur Calin Georgescu on the adverse effects of the movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes will be sent to concerned government officials. The report highlights the adverse effects that unsound management and disposal of medical waste may have on the enjoyment of human rights. It also calls for the replacement of incineration as a disposal method of hazardous medical waste with more environmentally-friendly and safe methods of disposal, such as autoclaving.

The personalities who took part in the 3-part PSA are actor/director Albert Martinez, events host Judah Paolo, WLS FM DJ Papa Dudut, celeb mom Suzi Abrera, Youtube sensation Bekimon, actress Say Alonzo, former Rep. Risa Hontiveros, filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, tattoo artist Gene Testa, sculptor Salvador Joel Alonday, fashion designer Joel Acebuche, cyclist Chiqui Tronco, indie-pop band Bad Days for Mary, Philippine College of Physicians’ (PCP) Dr. Gina Nazareth, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s (FCAP) Dr. Maricar Limpin, Philippine Heart Center’s Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco Jr., Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternative’s (GAIA) Gigie Cruz, and child volunteer Buwan Lila Sayajon.

The hospitals playing the PSAs are Philippine Heart Center (Quezon City) and San Lazaro Hospital (Manila). Next week, 11 hospitals owned, co-owned and administered by St. Paul de Chartres (SPC) Health Care Ministry will join in. These are Dela Salle University (DLSU) Medical Center (Dasmarinas Cavite), General Santos Doctors Hospital (General Santos City), Julio Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital (Dalaguete, Cebu), Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital (Baguio City), Our Lady of Peace Hospital (Paranaque City), Perpetual Succor Hospital (Cebu City), St. Joseph Southern Bukidnon Hospital (Maramag, Bukidnon), St. Paul Hospital in Dasmarinas, Cavite, St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo City, St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City, and Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital (Cagayan de Oro City).

Watch Burn Not on YouTube, click on Burn Not 1, Burn Not 2 and Burn Not 3.
Or visit our Vimeo page at www.vimeo.com/hcwhsea and watch:
BURN NOT1
BURN NOT2
BURN NOT3

Media Contacts:
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369
Merci Ferrer, +63 9209056113


HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visit www.noharm.org/seasia

Friday, October 21, 2011

HOSPITALS OPPOSE INCINERATION

Incineration harms. Burn not.

Hospitals today unfurled a black banner expressing their strongest opposition to the planned return of incineration in the country.

These hospitals from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao hang a black banner calling no to the revival of incineration of hospital wastes after several government officials said that incineration is the key to addressing the country’s waste problem.

“As doctors, we want to provide quality and healthy life to our patients. Reviving incineration is a complete contrast to this,” said Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco Jr., Medical Director of the Philippine Heart Center. “It is a total disregard for the waste management practices of our hospital.”

The hospitals hanging the banner are Philippine Heart Center (Quezon City) and San Lazaro Hospital (Manila). Next week, all 11 hospitals owned, co-owned and administered by St. Paul de Chartres (SPC) Health Care Ministry will join in. These are Dela Salle University (DLSU) Medical Center (Dasmarinas Cavite), General Santos Doctors Hospital (General Santos City), Julio Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital (Dalaguete, Cebu), Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital (Baguio City), Our Lady of Peace Hospital (Paranaque City), Perpetual Succor Hospital (Cebu City), St. Joseph Southern Bukidnon Hospital (Maramag, Bukidnon), St. Paul Hospital in Dasmarinas, Cavite, St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo City, St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City, and Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital (Cagayan de Oro City).

Sr. Arcelita Sarnillo of the SPC Health Care Ministry said that “Incineration ban is the best thing that has happened to the country when it comes to waste management.” She added, “The health care sector can attest that there are safe and clean alternatives to incineration.”

In 2004, medical waste incineration was banned in the country following the banning of general waste incineration in 2001 as mandated by the Clean Air Act.

While health care facilities regularly use some of the most toxic substances known to man, solid waste comprises the largest portion of a healthcare facility’s waste (75-80%). “Thru proper waste management such as waste minimization, efficient segregation, green purchasing, re-use, recycling and composting, we can greatly reduce the volume of our waste,” said Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia’s (HCWH-SEA) Merci Ferrer.

Of the remaining 20-25% hazardous waste, only 15-20% are infectious wastes which are commonly raised as an excuse for reviving medical waste incineration. “These can easily be dealt with using alternative technologies which are widely available in the country,” she added.

Among the alternative treatment technologies for treating waste, without burning, are autoclave, microwave, and dry heat treatment technologies.

A good example of proper health care waste management without burning are SPC hospitals who other than reducing the volume of waste even earned money thru recycling programs and composting. In 2009, St. Paul Hospital in Cavite earned Php40,000 from recycling wastes. While St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City earns Php3,500 to 5,000 per month.

“All SPC-owned and administered hospitals in the Philippines are opposed to the return of waste incineration,” said Sr. Sarnillo. “Environmental stewardship is one of the advocacies of SPC Health Care Ministry. Each of our hospitals has worked on their own waste management practices and systems and they all have proven that the hospitals can earn a few extra money from waste segregation and that technologies such as autoclave and microwave are far more effective means of disinfectingg infectious wastes.”

“The Philippine Heart Center has implemented proper waste management in compliance with the law,” said Dr. Chua Chiaco Jr. “It has been very effective and we encourage the government to learn from our example.”

“We also encourage other hospitals to take their stand against the effort to bring back incineration to the country. We have a moral responsibility to our patients and to take care of people’s health. We must not go back to incinerating our wastes,” said Dr. Chua Chiaco Jr.

Media Contacts:
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369
Merci Ferrer, +63 9209056113

HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visit www.noharm.org/seasia

Friday, September 16, 2011

UN Human Rights Report Calls for An End to Medical Waste Incineration

Contact: Sonia G. Astudillo; +63 9189182369
Merci Ferrer; +63 9209056113


UN Human Rights Report Calls for An End to Medical Waste Incineration

Manila. Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) today praised an official report by a Special Rapporteur to the United Nations Human Rights Council that calls for an end to the incineration of medical waste in order to protect human health and the environment.

The report focuses on "the adverse effects that the unsound management and disposal of medical waste may have on the enjoyment of human rights." It details a broad range of human rights impacts derived from poor health care waste management in a diversity of countries.

"This is a ground breaking document," said Ruth Stringer, International Science and Policy Coordinator for HCWH and author of the HCWH submission to the process. "Not only does the Special Rapporteur document heinous conditions in around the world, but his recommendations call for a progressive series of actions to protect people’s right to health and a clean environment."

In his prepared statement to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur, Calin Georgescu called for "The replacement of incineration as a disposal method of hazardous medical waste with more environmentally-friendly and safe methods of disposal, such as autoclaving."

"The findings of the Special Rapporteur draw from clear scientific evidence and validate the direct experience of thousands of communities around the world who have suffered from the negative health impacts of medical waste incineration" said Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH South East Asia. “This is a very timely report especially for the Philippines where government officials are proposing the revival of incinerators by making medical waste as the primary excuse to do so.”
Affirming that "medical staff, patients, workers in support services linked to health-care facilities, workers in waste disposal facilities, recyclers, scavengers and the general public" are all impacted by medical waste, the Special Rapporteur also recommends dedicating greater financial resources to sustainable health care waste management. He further calls for the development of "a comprehensive international legal framework" to protect human health and the environment from the scourge of healthcare waste.

To complement the report from the Special Rapporteur, HCWH today publicly released its own report, which HCWH staff, with the assistance of network members and waste management experts across Africa, Asia and Latin America, assembled. It represents a large body of information which was submitted to the Special Rapporteur for his consideration. HCWH's submission was joined by submissions from the secretariat of the Basel Convention, the secretariat of the Stockholm Convention, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centre for International Environmental Law.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

ENVI-HEALTH GROUP COMMENDS CITY RESOLUTION ON MED WASTE, RAISE CONCERN ON POSSIBLE MED WASTE INCINERATION REVIVAL

Environment health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today commends a city resolution under discussion in Puerto Princesa City Council that would ensure safe and proper disposal of medical, infectious and toxic medical waste.

The resolution proposed by Councilor Miguel Cuaderno IV will use autoclave in the treatment of infectious medical wastes from hospitals, infirmaries, birthing homes, clinics, laboratories, drug manufacturers, institutions, mortuary and autopsy centers.

“This resolution shows that what we need right now is the strict implementation of law through local ordinances,” said Merci Ferrer of HCWH-SEA. “Not revival of incinerators or promotion of incineration-in-disguise projects and waste-to-energy projects” after the collapse of a Baguio City dumpsite.

In August 2010, HCWH-SEA together with other environment organizations dialogued with the Department of Health (DoH) after it obtained a copy of the Department’s Health Executive Agenda for Legislation (HEAL) proposing amendment to the Clean Air Act by re-allowing the use of incinerations. DoH immediately retracted the proposal.

The group is concerned that the DoH would soon propose the use of medical waste incinerators to address wastes coming from the health care sector following recent announcements from the MMDA and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV pushing for the use of incinerators to address the burgeoning waste problem in Metro Manila.

“We would like to remind MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino and Sen. Trillianes that there are safe and far more economical ways of minimizing wastes, treating and then disposing them properly without sacrificing the environment and the health of the people,” said Ferrer.

“Time and again, we pushed for reduction-reuse-recycle when it comes to waste management both in households and health care system,” said Ferrer. “In hospitals for example, 90% of medical wastes when properly segregated are regular household wastes that maybe reused or recycled and composted. The remaining 10% infectious wastes are then handled using alternative waste treatment technologies such as autoclave and microwave.”

She added that hospitals around the country have proven that through proper waste management and the use of alternative waste treatment technologies, the volume of wastes have significantly decreased. The budget for managing the wastes has likewise decreased. In fact, through recycling and composting, these hospitals were able to raise additional income for their hospitals.

“Incineration will not solve the garbage problem,” said Ferrer. “Without the basics of waste minimization and proper waste segregation, all wastes will end up being incinerated.” Incineration releases dioxins and furans, two of the most toxic and persistent pollutants known to science.

“We are worsening the already grim situation of our garbage,” said Ferrer. “Zero toxin emission is a hoax.”

The group is encouraging the health care sector to continue implementing proper waste management and to rally against possible medical and solid waste incineration revival. “The health care sector people know first-hand the ill-effects of incineration to health.”

They are likewise encouraging local governments to follow the model of Puerto Princesa City in working towards proper waste management not just in the hospital but for the whole community.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

ANTI-INCINERATION CAMPAIGN GATHERS STRONG SUPPORT

Eight years of medical waste incinerator-free Philippines, entertainment, politics and cause-oriented personalities unite to give a strong message against medical waste incineration and to remind the public not to forget about incineration that once harmed our air.

In a Public Service Announcement titled Incineration Harms. Burn Not, personalities the likes of actor/director Albert Martinez, events host Judah Paolo, WLS FM DJ Papa Dudut, gay lingo expert Bekimon, actress Say Alonzo, former Rep. Risa Hontiveros, celeb mom Suzi Abrera, tattoo artist Gene Testa, sculptor Salvador Joel Alonday, fashion designer Joel Acebuche, cyclist Chiqui Tronco, indie-pop band Bad Days for Mary, Philippine College of Physicians’ (PCP) Dr. Gina Nazareth, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s (FCAP) Dr. Maricar Limpin, Philippine Heart Center’s Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco, environmentalist Gigie Cruz, child volunteer Buwan Lila Sajayon, filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik and running priest Fr. Robert Reyes gathered to give their message of how incineration and medical waste incineration are harmful to everyone.

“We are very pleased that they willingly volunteered their time to remind the people and the government, especially health officials of how incineration or burning of wastes, be it a regular waste or medical waste, is wrong,” said Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of Health Care Without Harm.

July 17 marks the 8th year anniversary of complete medical waste incineration ban in the Philippines following the approval of the Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1999.

“However, once in a while we still hear proposals to amend the CAA by re-allowing medical waste incineration,” said Ferrer. “There are likewise ‘incinerators-in-disguise’ projects that are being allowed by our government.”

“But our message is clear. Wastes do not disappear after burning them. Burning the wastes create toxic problems. As a matter of fact residues like fly ash and bottom ash which are highly hazardous are produced during incineration,” Ferrer pointed out.

The ashes are dumped into landfills leaving it at the mercy of scavengers and communities nearby who may not be aware that it is hazardous.

The PSA also wants to remind the government, hospital managers and the general public that incineration wastes more resources. According to Ferrer, the Philippines has been paying US$2 million annually from 2001 and is set to pay until 2014 for a defunct medical waste incineration loan project. The payment instead should be rechanneled to other health care needs and services.

The Philippine and Austrian Governments entered into a P503 million Austrian Medical Waste Incinerator Project loan that provided incinerators to 26 public hospitals around the country to help in the proper disposal of medical waste. In 1999, however, the Philippines successfully banned the use of incinerators for general wastes and subsequently the use of incinerators for medical waste in 2003. The country remains the only country in the world to ban incinerators.

The PSA is directed by Director Ray Gibraltar (Wanted: Border and When Timawa Meets Delgado). A music titled Without Harm was especially recorded for the PSA by indie-pop band Bad Days for Mary.

Why ‘burn not’?
VJ Judah Paolo: Incineration has no place in this world. Incineration harms.
Kidlat Tahimik: I’m a filmmaker. I shoot the greens which our forefathers in Ifugao know so well. Incinerators deaden the greens.
Say Alonzo (actress): Incineration is global warming. Incineration sucks.
Fr. Robert Reyes: God recycles. The devil burns.
Dr. Manuel Chua-Chiaco (Philippine Heart Center): Incineration wastes resources. Proper health care waste management is the only solution.
Albert Martinez (actor/director): I only want the best for my family. Incineration is harmful.
WLS FM DJ Papa Dudut: I entertain people. Incineration destroys any form of entertainment.
Bekimon (in Bekimon lingo): I make people happy and jolly. Incineration makes us sick. It’s the biggest loser.
Former Rep. Risa Hontiveros: We serve the people. Incineration is greed.
Salvador Joel Alonday (sculptor): The sculptor with his resources takes an idea and gives it aesthetic form. Incinerators transform latent resources into toxic ash - this is a bad idea.
Chiqui Tronco (cyclist): I play fair game. Incineration is unfair.
Dr. Gina Nazareth (Philippine College of Physicians): The Hippocratic Oath says, first do no harm. Incineration does harm.
Joel Acebuche (fashion designer): I design beauty. Incineration is ugly.
Gene Testa (tattoo artist): I make permanent tattoo. The effects of incineration? Is permanent.
Dr. Maricar Limpin (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control): We protect patients. Incineration exposes us to injury to the lungs. Incineration poisons lives.
Bad Days for Mary (indie-pop band): When it comes to protecting the environment, incinerators hit all the wrong notes.
Gigie Cruz (environment campaigner): We work to achieve a toxic-free world. Incineration destroys our future.
Buwan Lila Sajayon (child volunteer): I love to play outdoor but with polluted air and
water, I can’t. Incineration destroys my playground.
Suzi Abrera (celeb mom): I deliver good news. Incineration is bad news.

Monday, May 16, 2011

BUDGET FOR HEALTH, FINALLY DISBURSED: DoH hospitals, LGU health facilities to receive non-mercurial devices

Manila - After two years of constant probing and pressure from civil society organizations, the Department of Health (DoH) has finally disbursed (1) the allocation for purchase of non-mercurial thermometers and sphygmomanometers for DoH- and Local Government Unit (LGU) controlled health facilities. The DoH, however, has yet to disclose the exact amount used.

Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), a member of the Alternative Budget Initiative for Health (2), who lobbied for the inclusion of the 13.2 M allocation in the 2009 national budget and tracked down its release said that this is a very welcome move from the government.

“Health care facilities patiently awaited the release of this budget which was originally intended to jump-start the hospitals’ switch to mercury-free thermometers and sphygmomanometers,” said Merci Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Executive Director.

The 13.2 M was intended for purchase of mercury alternatives for hospitals run by the DoH. After receiving reports that majority of health facilities (rural and barangay health facilities) run by the local government have not yet started with the phase-out of mercury devices, the DoH extended the grant to them. The regional Center for Health Devices (CHD) will be responsible in identifying recipient rural and barangay health units based on the facility’s needs.

In 2009, the 13.2 M allocation for non-mercurial alternatives was impounded by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, along with the 100 M allocation for the purchase of autoclaves for medical waste treatment of DoH-controlled hospitals. The following year, in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the budgets for both the non-mercurial alternatives and autoclaves were combined and brought down to 50 M. However, it again failed to materialize. In a communication with the DoH, the release of the budget was disallowed following the President’s Veto Message of the 2010 GAA requiring that the release of the increased items of appropriations be subject to the identification by Congress of new revenue measures in support thereof. It further required that all allowable increase in appropriations should carry with it a corresponding increase in the respective outputs and improved outcomes of the agencies concerned.

“With so many twists and turns to have the money included in the national budget to its eventual release, we are pleased that the budget for mercury alternatives is finally obligated and disbursed,” said Ferrer. “We still need to follow-up on the budget for autoclaves (3) since in the 2010 GAA, the budget for mercury alternatives and autoclaves were merged under one line item which is the Health Facilities Enhancement Program.”

According to a correspondence with the DoH, the non-mercurial alternatives, like thermometers, sphygmomanometers or BP apparatus and calibrators are now being prepared for freight to respective DoH-controlled hospitals and regional CHDs.

“Health facilities run by the LGUs are among the first to raise the issue of non-availability of funds to purchase mercury alternatives despite orders from both the DoH (4) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) (5) to phase-out mercury devices,” said Ferrer. “Now that the budget is extended to some of them, it will fast track the implementation of mercury phase-out in LGUs who will receive the devices.”

HCWH-SEA will continue to monitor the delivery and allocation of the devices to the hospitals and LGU facilities. “We want to make sure that the hospitals and other facilities actually received the devices and that the devices are properly working,” said Ferrer. For the rural and barangay health units, we need to be sure that those who will receive the devices are those who actually need them.

HCWH-SEA is also calling on other LGUs who have not yet appropriated budget for the switch to mercury alternatives, to prioritize this.

Likewise, the group raised concern on the temporary storage of phased-out devices. “Since we will be replacing old mercury devices, DOH and the respective CHD officials should train each recipient health care facility on the proper temporary storage of phased-out devices.”

According to the DoH Administrative Order 21 which mandated the phase-out of mercury devices, phased-out devices must be properly stored in the health care facility while waiting for a more centralized storage. “The UNDP-Global Environment Facility Global Healthcare Waste Project released a guideline (6) on proper storage of mercury waste. “We encourage the DOH to disseminate the guidelines and for all healthcare facilities to implement it.”

Footnote:
(1) Disbursed means the items have already been purchased and the money/allocation has been paid out.
(2) The Alternative Budget Initiative is a consortium of 60 non-government organizations that has been actively engaging the government in the budget process for the past six years.
(3) HCWH-SEA and ABI-Health have also been lobbying for the release of 100 M allocation for autoclave for medical waste treatment. It was included in the 2008 General Appropriations Act but was later vetoed by the President. In 2010 GAA, the budget for mercurial alternatives and autoclaves were merged under one line item which is the Health Facilities Enhancement Program. The allocation remains unreleased to date.
(4) In 2008, the DoH issued Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by September 2010.

Friday, April 15, 2011

GROUP INTRODUCES ‘PRIMER’ FOR IMPROVED HEALTH SERVICES

In improving health care services, lawmakers today must also consider environmental safety,” said Merci Ferrer, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) Executive Director.

This is in response to the news on 61 local bills promoting national health services approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives. Included in the approved bills are establishment of municipal hospitals, increasing bed capacity, and upgrading and modernizing hospitals.

“We welcome and laud this move by our lawmakers. Improvements in hospital services will redound to people’s health, especially so if these are for hospitals or clinics in the far-flung areas of the country where hospital services are either very limited or scarce,” said Ferrer. “But we’d like to remind our lawmakers, hospital administrators and health officials that in all these improvements, we need to make sure that the hospitals are not contributing to environmental pollution.”

The group recommends a PRIMER for providing quality health services.

Proper waste segregation – Each hospital need a dedicated waste management committee (1) that will see to it that wastes are properly segregated and placed in its proper bins. “Waste segregation can help in lessening the volume of wastes produced in each hospital,” said Ferrer. “They also need to make sure that the infectious and pathological wastes are properly treated thru autoclave, microwave (2) and other non-burn systems before disposal.”

Recycling program – Each hospitals should also have recycling programs for used items such as boxes, bottles and papers. Based on HCWH’s study, about 85% of the total hospital wastes are like regular household wastes that maybe recycled. Composting area on the other hand may be provided for food wastes from the kitchen. The compost may be used for plants around the hospitals or may even be sold. Recycling and composting programs can generate income for the hospitals.

In-house food production – Hospitals should consider serving food which are locally produced in the community than food from big establishments that are often laden with pesticides. These are healthier for patients and hospital workers alike. It saves cost in transporting food as well as supports livelihood of local farmers.

Mercury-free – Our hospitals should also be mercury-free. In 2008, the Department of Health (DoH) ordered the phase-out of mercury devices by September 2010. “With this Administrative Order, improved health services should now mean the use of mercury-free medical devices,” said Ferrer.

Efficient use of alternative materials which are non-toxic and environmentally friendly– “Such as using recycled papers or fabric instead of tarpaulin for event announcements in hospitals,” she added. A good example of alternative materials on the other hand is using tetrapacks as insulators instead of the regular expensive insulators. “This allows hospitals to re-use materials that would otherwise be discarded.”

Renewable and alternative energy – The group likewise is pushing for use of renewable and alternative energy generation such as solar or wind energy. This can be used for lighting, generation or pumping of water to the facilities. It is likewise wise for health care facilities to do small measures towards less and efficient use of energy by using compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or better yet Light Emitting Diodes (LED) as CFLs are mercury-containing and may be a cause of mercury pollution when not properly handled. Turning down the air conditioner during cooler days, turning off and unplugging equipments when not in use are other measures that will go a long way in saving energy usage in the hospitals. Having bigger windows so light and wind may freely enter must also be considered, as well as having plants within and outside of the hospital premises.

“These are measures that are easy to implement, all it needs is a commitment and the will to do things properly,” said Ferrer. “We hope that PRIMER will be incorporated in the improvements that the health sector wants to provide to the people.”

Endnotes:
1 - DOH Health Care Waste Management Manual recommends the formation of a waste management committee in hospitals.
2 - Autoclaves uses steam to treat cultures and stocks, sharps, materials contaminated with blood and limited amounts of fluid, isolation and surgery wastes, laboratory wastes (excluding chemical wastes), and soft waste. Microwave systems are more expensive than autoclaves but are easier to use and operate. It treats the same kind of wastes as autoclaves. (Source: DoH Health Care Waste Management Manual)

Contact
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer, Executive Director, +63 920 9056113


HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 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.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

ILIGTAS SA BASURA ANG ‘PINAS

Envi-health group to DoH: Ensure implementation of proper waste disposal during measles vaccination program

Environmental-health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today calls on the Department of Health (DoH) to ensure the proper waste management and disposal of syringes and other materials that will be used in the month-long measles vaccination program1 that commenced this April.

In 2004, HCWH, in coordination with the DoH and World Health Organization (WHO) lead the monitoring and documentation of proper waste management and disposal during the Philippine Measles Eradication Campaign (PMEC). “What we found out is that proper and safe disposal of syringe is possible and at a very minimal cost,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer, who led the documentation team. “This time around, the DoH should again see to it that it does not ignore proper waste management and disposal for PMEC 2011.”

In 2004, the vaccination program targeted 18 million children. In over a month, the volume of wastes collected totaled to 19.5 million syringes or 130,000 kg of sharp waste. Add to that are 72,000 kg of non-hazardous wastes such as empty vials and ampoules, syringe wrappers, empty vitamin capsules, cotton swabs, syringe caps and packaging. The DoH in its guidebook recommended the collection of syringe in a 5-liter safety box and its treatment using autoclave or microwave facilities which use heat to kill microbes in waste and disposal through encasement in a concrete septic vault or burial in a waste pit.

Alternative waste treatment
“While news on the vaccination program pays no heed to waste treatment and disposal, we would like to point out that there are alternative technologies such as Microwave and Autoclave to treat what we estimate would again be more than 200,000 kg of medical waste,” said Ferrer.

“The alternatives are available in some areas in the country,” Ferrer added. “But in cases where they are not, local government engineers could help construct the waste burial pits for disposal of used syringes during the vaccination program,” said Ferrer.

“In 2004, the country just banned the use of medical waste incinerators,” said Ferrer. “So it was quite new for us to handle waste from a nationwide vaccination program without resorting to incineration or open burning. But it proved feasible as evidenced by the successful waste management which was eventually cited in several international papers and conferences.”

In the 2004 report, the cheapest method to dispose of waste is thru the simple clay-lined burial pits. The clay was used to minimize groundwater contamination. The next cheapest methods were using autoclave or microwave technology.

“Eight years of non-incineration and new technologies in safely treating and disposing wastes have come out,” said Ferrer.

Yes to measles vaccination, yes to proper waste management
“What we are saying here is that we need to address the measles issues from all angles,” said Ferrer. “We do the nationwide vaccination program to address the more than 2,000 cases of measles and we look at the other issues that come along the program and there enters proper waste management.”

The group likewise reminded the DoH to be proactive in funding projects that will address the issue in all fronts referring to the 100 M budget for autoclave which was in the 2008 General Appropriations Act. This budget was never released despite appeal from then Health Sec. Francisco Duque to Malacanang saying the release of said fund would enable the 16 recipient hospitals to treat regulated medical waste in accordance with national policies on health care waste management and redound to the benefit of welfare of the Filipino people.

“Had the budget been released, this could very well be used to treat the wastes that will come from the vaccination program,” said Ferrer.

For 2012, HCWH-SEA and the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) for health is proposing to DoH for it to include in their 2012 budget the amount of P100M for purchase of waste treatment technology under the Health Facility Enhancement Program.

“With the lack of waste disinfection treatment like autoclave, people will continuously be exposed to diseases especially since a large part of the country’s medical waste ends up in dumpsites that remain open to scavengers or scavenging despite laws and regulations to the contrary.”

Download Waste Management and Disposal During the Philippine Follow-up Measles Campaign 2004 report at http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/waste/Waste_Mgmt_PMEC_2004.pdf

1 The DoH allocated 600 M for the project Iligtas sa Tigdas ang ‘Pinas to buy and distribute vaccines, needles, and syringes, mobilize health workers and produce communication materials and vaccinate over 18 million children.

Contact
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org


HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 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.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

PH SLACKING IN MERCURY PHASE-OUT

Manila – Envi-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), today questions the Philippine government for slacking in the mercury phase-out implementation in health care. “Of the 1,851 hospitals in the country, we only have more than 600 mercury-free or going mercury-free hospitals,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “Contrary to Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order 21 target of 100% phase-out by September 2010.”

According to Ferrer, before the issuance of AO 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, there were more than 60 hospitals who opted to switch to mercury alternatives. Among these are Philippine Heart Center, General Santos Doctor’s Hospital, Manila Adventist Hospital and San Juan De Dios Hospital.

In a survey conducted by HCWH-SEA, more than 600 hospitals have phased-out mercury thermometers and BP apparatus in their facilities. “While 600+ was a good number in 2010, this is not the case anymore six months after the September 2010 deadline for mercury phase-out,” said Ferrer. “The question on mercury importation ban remains unanswered despite countless appeal to the DoH.”

“We give credit to concerned stakeholders who have worked in this phase-out,” said Ferrer. “Private corporations like mercury-free alternatives distributors have helped in campaigning for mercury-free health care,” said Ferrer citing one health care retail outlet who made a nationwide mercury campaign last year.

“We likewise have artists like Albert Martinez, Judah Paolo and Suzi Abrera who are openly speaking about the dangers of mercury to people’s health and the environment. PhilHealth on the other hand, has included in its Benchbook compliance to AO 21,” she added.

“But we need more concrete actions,” said Ferrer. “While the DoH is no longer giving permits to medical devices distributor to sell mercury thermometers, it does not restrict entry of mercury devices in the country thus they are still widely available in the market.”

“The issue of storage for phased-out mercury devices is still hanging and the 2009 General Appropriations Act 13.2 M allocation for purchase of non-mercurial devices remains unreleased,” Ferrer pointed out.

“We call all hospitals to move with the phase-out. The deadline has expired and our health system is not even close to 50% mercury-free.”

“Based on the regional conferences conducted by HCWH-SEA in 2010, several health facilities run by the local government units are unaware of AO 21,” said Ferrer citing one hospital who purchased mercury thermometers at the last quarter of 2010.

In December 2010, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memo 2010-140 enjoining all provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, DILG regional directors and other concerned to ensure compliance to DoH-AO 21.

“This was issued 3 months after expiration date of AO 21. It shows the government’s lack of interest on the phase-out of mercury.”

During the 2010 Presidential election when HCWH-SEA started a signature drive called the Green Health Covenant among health care workers and Presidential aspirants. P-Noy did not sign the Covenant but sent a letter saying 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 his administration.

“We do not see this happening. Not with more than a thousand more hospitals still playing with fire every time they use mercury thermometer or BP apparatus in their facilities.,”

Contact
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org


HCWH-SEA will hold the Asia Regional Conference on Mercury-Free Health Care on March 15 (8:30 AM to 6:30 PM) at the Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall, Cubao to tackle the global initiatives to phase-out mercury devices in health care, as well as the mercury phase-out initiatives in Asia and the Philippines. On March 16 (8:15 to 11:15 AM), there will be a panel discussion on Dental Amalgam and its Alternatives and Greening the Health Sector discussing environmental issues like climate change & health care, substituting chemicals in health care, Green & Clean Program in Thailand hospitals, sustainable health care waste management in Philippine hospitals and developing small scale autoclaves for healthcare waste in Tanzania.



HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 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.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

PH ARTISTS UNITE FOR MERCURY PHASE-OUT IN HEALTH CARE

Manila – Following best actress Natalie Portman’s call to the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to limit mercury pollution, several Philippine artists today speak out on the dangers of mercury and call for its phase-out in the health care sector. The ad dubbed Artists unite for mercury phase-out in health care done by envi-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), is simultaneously released in other Asian countries.

The campaign aims to phase-out mercury in health care and ultimately pushes for importation ban on mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers.

“Knowing the dangers of mercury to people and the environment, we are calling all health care facilities in the Philippines and around Asia to switch to safer alternatives to mercury devices,” said actor/director Albert Martinez.

The Philippine artists unite and call on other Asian artists to support or to become part of the artists unite for mercury phase-out in health care movement. The group is using social network to reach out to artists around the Asian region.

“We know the power that celebrities, artists and known personalities have in influencing people’s opinion,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “Thus we are grateful for these artists who have enlisted their support for mercury phase-out.”

Mercury spills in hospitals, clinics and laboratories expose doctors, nurses and other health care workers and patients to mercury. At low exposure, it may cause tremors, emotional changes, insomnia, neuromuscular changes, headaches, disturbances in sensations, changes in nerve responses and performance deficits on tests of cognitive function. At higher exposure it may cause kidney defects, respiratory failure and even death.

Among the artists featured in the ad are celebrity mom Suzi Abrera, TV & events host Judah Paolo, actor/director Albert Martinez, Survivor Philippines Palau Shaun Rodriguez, tattoo artist Gene Testa, WLS FM DJ Papa Dudut and visual artist Kabunyan De Guia.

“Random check at health care stores and we see that viable alternatives are widely available in the market. On the outside, the alternatives look more expensive but taking into consideration the clean-up cost in cases of mercury spills, the alternatives are way cheaper,” said Abrera who first got involved in the campaign when she hosted a mercury-free caravan with HCWH-SEA and mercury-free alternatives distributors.

“When we visit a hospital, the last thing we want is to expose our family to toxic chemicals like mercury,” said Judah Paolo. “With safe, accurate and affordable alternatives, we wonder why some health care facilities are not yet making the switch to alternatives.”

At room temperature, significant amounts of liquid elemental mercury transform to a gas. If discarded as a waste, mercury will eventually make its way into the environment where organisms living in rivers, lakes or moist earth transform it into highly toxic organic mercury.

According to Ferrer, mercury spill are not contained in one area. “A gram of mercury, this is the amount present in one mercury thermometer, may contaminate 80,940 square meters of lake or 192 basketball courts,” said Ferrer. “And there is no final disposal for mercury.”

A case in point is the Minamata disease brought by reckless dumping of heavy metals including methyl mercury from a factory to the water sources around Minamata, Japan. This claimed countless lives and the effects spanning to more than 50 years.

“We do not need to look that far to see the effects of mercury poisoning,” said Martinez citing an incident in a school in Paranaque where about 20 children had to be hospitalized and chelated after playing with a beaker of elemental mercury. “To date, one boy still suffers from advanced stage of Parkinsonism. We do not want this to happen again, not in our family, not among our friends, not anywhere.”

Parkinsonism refers to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It is a neurological syndrome characterized by tremor, hypokinesia, rigidity and postural instability.

In 2008, the Philippine Department of Health signed Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by 2010. Unfortunately, to date there are only more than 600 mercury-free hospitals in the country.

There are several movements in other Asian countries. Recently, in India, the mercury phase-out guidelines issued to all Central Government hospitals have resulted in the guideline being included in the Indian Public Health Standard for all 30 to 500 bedded hospitals. The Central Pollution Control Board has also framed draft guidelines entitle Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury Waste in Health Care Facilities, emphasizing the collection and storage of mercury from discarded devices.

In Indonesia, the Ministries of Environment and Health hosted a Mercury Roundtable to identify potential partners to promote a mercury-free health care sector. In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health is implementing GREEN & CLEAN Hospital in 12 regional Health Promotion Hospitals. These hospitals will pilot mercury-free health care. In Nepal, 3 hospitals have piloted a mercury-free health care.

“Mercury phase-out in Philippine health care is one big step,” said Ferrer. “But we need more than this. Thus we are appealing to all health care facilities around Asia to shun away from mercury use in health care. And we are likewise appealing to individuals, to artists whose words are known to draw support from a lot of people to call on your respective government to support the phase-out of mercury in health care.”

Attached is a copy of Artists unite for mercury phase-out in health care or visit http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/mercury/Artists_unite_for_mercury_phaseout_in_healthcare_ad.pdf

HCWH-SEA will hold the Asia Regional Conference on Mercury-Free Health Care on March 15 (8:30 AM to 6:30 PM) at the Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall, Cubao to tackle the global initiatives to phase-out mercury devices in health care, as well as the mercury phase-out initiatives in Asia and the Philippines. On March 16 (8:15 to 11:15 AM), there will be a panel discussion on Dental Amalgam & its Alternatives and Greening the Health Sector discussing environmental issues like climate change & health care, substituting chemicals in health care, GREEN & CLEAN Program in Thailand hospitals, sustainable health care waste management in Philippine hospitals and developing small scale autoclaves for healthcare waste in Tanzania.

Contact
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org


HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 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.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Asia Regional Conference on Mercury-free Health Care

The conference will be held in Manila, Philippines, March 15-16, 2011. It is being co-organized by HCWH, WHO and the UNDP GEF Global Healthcare Waste Project.


For more information, contact: faye@hcwh.org or mercuryfreehealthcare2011@gmail.com