Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network launched in Asia

Taipei--- Hospitals, health systems and health organizations representing the interests of more than 2,500 hospitals from six continents today launched the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network (GGHHN), an international initiative to reduce the health sector’s ecological footprint and promote public environmental health.

One in a series of events to be held around the world in 2012, the launch took place at the 20th Annual Conference of the International Health Promoting Hospitals, where 33 new hospitals from countries as diverse as Thailand, Sweden, the Philippines, Nigeria and Taiwan committed to endorse the Network and undertake a series of initiatives to green their facilities.

“We know that in many parts of the world, hospitals consume large amounts of energy, chemicals, water and other resources,” said Josh Karliner, International Coordinator for Health Care Without Harm, which has led the establishment of theNetwork. “What is new here is that hospitals and health systems are coming together across borders and committing to take leadership to address their impacts on the environment and human health. As part of the Network they are setting goals to transform everything from how they build, to the products they use, to how they manage their waste, in order to promote healthier environments.”

A similar launch took place in early April in the United States, where a sister Network facilitated by Health Care Without Harm, the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, was joined by major health systems representing 500 U.S. hospitals and US $20 billion in purchasing power. Other founding members of the GGHHN include a broad set of organizations, ranging from the Sustainability Unit of England’s National Health Service, to the Indonesia Hospital Association, the international health NGO FHI360, the Environment Task Force of the Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) Network, as well as individual hospitals from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, India and Nepal.

“We are pleased to join the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network,” said Dr. Shu Ti Chiou, Chair of the HPH Environment Task Force and host of the event. “By reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste and implementing green purchasing policies, hospitals can promote greater public health, while also providing leadership for the rest of society. We look forward to taking on this challenge.”

Members of the Network will establish specific goals for reducing their environmental footprint and the report on their progress on an annual basis. They will also share case studies and best practices with one another via the Network’s website, www.greenhospitals.net.

“This launch represents both the bringing together of wide array of initiatives for sustainability in the health sector, and the global scale-up of the green health care movement,” said Merci Ferrer, South East Asia Coordinator for Health Care Without Harm. “We will be working with hospitals, health systems and health organizations throughout world to realize this potential.”

Launch events for the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network will also be held in Brazil, Sweden, the Philippines, Australia and other countries over the course of 2012.

For more information see: www.greenhospitals.net

WORLD WATER DAY: Hospitals in the forefront of water conservation

Just in time with the World Water Day, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) warns that improper practices in a hospital’s daily operation may worsen water problem.

“Health care facilities consume a large volume of water in its daily operation. While this may contribute to the burgeoning water supply problem worldwide, there are numerous ways on how health care facilities may help alleviate the problem,” said Merci Ferrer, Director of HCWH-SEA.

A 2009 research conducted by the Asian Development Bank reported that clean water supply in the Philippines are fast deteriorating with rapid urbanization and only 33 per cent of river systems are still suitable as clean and safe supply of water and up to 58 per cent of the country’s groundwater are now contaminated. The annual freshwater availability per capita is only 1,907 m3 compared to Asian and world averages of 3,669 m3/person and 7,045 m3/per person, respectively.

The Philippine Heart Center in its report to HCWH-SEA identified actions it has taken to reduce hospital water consumption and increase supply of potable water. PHC is among the first hospitals in Southeast Asia to join the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network, a virtual community for hospitals and health systems seeking to implement and evolve the ten Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda (GGHHA). The ten goals include (1) prioritizing environmental health, (2) substitution of harmful chemicals with safer alternatives, (3) reduction, treatment and safe disposal of healthcare waste, (4) implementation of energy efficient and clean renewable energy generation, (5) reduction of hospital water consumption and providing potable water, (6) improving transportation strategies for patient and staff, (7) purchase and serving of sustainably grown, healthy food, (8) safe management and disposal of pharmaceuticals, (9) supporting green and healthy hospital design and construction, and (10) buying safer and more sustainable products and materials.

Among the first steps taken by PHC for its water conservation strategies is installing efficient faucets and toilets in its facility. Routine check on plumbing and pipes to prevent leaks and elimination of seal and cooling water on medical air compression and vacuum were also implemented.

Clean water

Toxic chemicals such as methylacrylate, xylene, organic solvents, formaldehyde and cleaning and sterilizing compounds such as ethylene oxide, sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde and phenols are commonly used in health care facilities. “If we do not pay attention to the toxicity of these chemicals and where and how we dispose them, these chemicals will eventually find their way into the water stream,” said Ferrer.

Among the initiatives of PHC is switching from film-based radiological imaging equipment which uses large quantities of water to digital imaging which uses no water and no polluting radiological chemicals. The hospital is currently using digital x-ray.

“Indiscriminate dumping of chemicals from hospitals where they will go directly to our water system, the health care sector, without them knowing it, is causing not only health problems but severe environmental problems as well,” she added. “And worst, they are adding to the water problem faced worldwide.”

No to bottled water

In 2006, Pacific Institute estimates that producing the bottle for bottled water for American consumption alone required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil, not including the energy for transportation. They added that bottling the water produced more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide and it took 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water.

PHC has eliminated bottled water throughout the hospital and partially filtered water tank were installed in some nurse station with regular bacteriological analysis test to check the water quality. The facility also has a memorandum of agreement with Manila Water for 24-hour assurance of water supply. In return, they took initiatives in cleaning with the central drainage system.

Harvesting of rainwater and recycling water through the sewage treatment plant or the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is also being done by PHC for gardening and cooling tower.

When it comes to giving back to the community, PHC develops joint projects with the community to improve and protect water supply support initiatives for public system to improve water quality, water delivery and wastewater system.

“The health sector can contribute a lot in helping provide cleaner and safer water,” said Ferrer. “And the PHC has taken a leap in this respect.

“We encourage hospitals around the country to follow the example of PHC and to share with us at HCHW, what other initiatives they have taken towards greening their hospital.”

World statistics show that 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water while an estimated 2.5 billion people have no access to proper sanitation and more than 5 million people die each year from water-related diseases, most victims are children under the age of five. This is equivalent to one child dying every 15 seconds. In Asia, one in five Asians does not have access to safe water supply and one in two does not have access to improved sanitation. One in three Asians still has to walk at least 200 meters to fetch drinking water.

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 For more information on the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda, visit www.greenhospitals.net. Note: GGHH Agenda was launched in 2011 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hospitals and health systems from Argentina, India, Nepal and England including the Sustainability Unit of England’s National Health Service which works with more than 200 hospitals have already signed as Founding Members. A sister network in the US, the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, has more than 300 hospital members. On April 11, the GGHH Network in Asia will be launched in Taipei. HCWH, together with the Environment Task Force of the International Health Promoting Hospitals Network and the Bureau of Health Promotion for the Department of Health, Taiwan are the organizers of the Asia launch.

Open letter to world leaders calls for an end of the threat of nuclear power

Just days before Japan marks the anniversary of March 11, 2011 tsunami and the nuclear disaster that followed, leaders from more than 50 organisations and prominent individuals from all around the world today released an open letter to world leaders calling for investments in safe, renewable energy in order to end to the threat of nuclear power and put protecting people ahead of protecting the nuclear industry.

The signatories include: Archbishop Dr. Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate; Marina Silva, former Brazilian Environment Minister; Senator Bob Brown, Australian Green Party Leader, Ralph Nader, USenvironmental activist; John Hall, former US Congressman; Richard Harvey, international Human Rights lawyer; several artists; leaders of human rights, labour, development and environment organisations, such as Action Aid International, Health Care without Harm, Greenpeace International, Friends of the Earth US, CIVICUS, the Feminist Task Force of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, and many national non-governmental organisations.

The letter begins: “On behalf of the millions of people in the world who live with the threat of a nuclear disaster ruining their lives, we are writing to ask you to recognize that now is the time to put people ahead of the nuclear industry and hold the industry fully liable for the risks and damages of its disasters. It is time to remove the risks of nuclear from people’s lives and shift our economies to clean, safe energy systems.”

The impacts of the nuclear disaster at Fukushima continue for hundreds of thousands in Japan. They are exposed to radioactive contamination, displaced from their homes, dislocated from their communities, have lost their jobs and live with the ongoing fear that their children may suffer from the long-term effects of radiation exposure. This kind of suffering would be repeated in any country where there is a nuclear disaster.

The letter notes that the Fukushima nuclear disaster was a result of the failure of institutions in Japan to protect people from such an accident. These institutional failures are repeated in every country with nuclear reactors,putting millions at risk, because governments “are more concerned about protecting the profits of the nuclear industry than in fulfilling their responsibility to protect people.”

Greenpeace will send the open letter to world leaders to encourage them to remove the risks of nuclear power from the world.

Full letter and signature list

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

‘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

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

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