CHILDREN SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR A MERCURY-FREE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE

February 12, 2009

CHILDREN SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR A MERCURY-FREE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE

Manila – Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), along with children all dressed in white like little gods and goddesses, simultaneously visited the Department of Health (DoH) and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III in two separate venues to spread the message of love this Valentine’s Day for a mercury-free Philippines by 2010.

This is inline with Administrative Order 2008-0021 signed by Duque for implementation on September 11, 2008 to phase-out all mercury containing devices in all Philippine health care by 2010.

At the DoH, HCWH-SEA was greeted by Under Secretary David J. Lozada, Jr., Dr. Edwin Sanchez, head of the committee on the phase-out of mercury in health care, and Engr. Elmer Benedictos, member of the committee.

Why children?
Children are among the most vulnerable sector when it comes to mercury exposure .

“Mercury impairs neurological development of infants and children. Even a fetus inside a pregnant woman’s body that has been exposed to mercury is instantly affected. It may disrupt the baby’s growing brain and nervous system,” Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury, said.

6th month and counting
“The signing of the AO is a much-awaited move and its implementation cannot be delayed unless protecting children has become our least priority,” said Ferrer.

She added “February marks the 5th month of the AO. The clock is continuously ticking and there are things that need to be accomplished before we reach the goal of a mercury-free health care in 2010.

“We are on the 5th month and several hospitals are still unaware of the AO. The 6th month is the most stringent month ,” Ferrer said


Two thumbs up!
Ferrer added though that replacement of mercury thermometers is now easier with the approval of the Senate and House of Representatives of a DOH budget for purchase of mercury-free thermometers.

In the bi-cam approved budget, Php13.2 million is allotted for purchase of mercury-free thermometers in the 66 government hospitals. The budget awaits the signature of the President.

Global Campaign
As a global issue, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched in December a global partnership to substitute mercury-based medical devices with safer, accurate and affordable alternatives.

In a letter sent to Duque, HCWH and WHO are asking the DoH to become a Founding Member of the global partnership.

“DoH is in the forefront of advocating for mercury-free health care. As a Founding Member, it will highlight the good work in the Philippines as an example for the rest of the world,” Ferrer said.

She added that this partnership will push the DoH to redouble efforts to a mercury-free health care through a strict monitoring of the AO implementation.

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)

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

1 According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to low levels of methyl mercury in the womb.

According to the same report, other symptoms of methyl mercury poisoning include impairment of the peripheral vision, disturbances in sensations, lack of coordination of movements, impairments of speech, hearing, walking and muscle weakness.

2 Provisions of the AO states that all hospitals shall immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the hospital admission/discharge kits. Within the 2nd month of its implementation, which falls on November 2008, all health care facilities must designate a Mercury Management Team under their Hospital Waste Management Committee.

3 For the 1st 6 months of the AO, the Mercury Management Team should have: (1) Conducted a mercury audit of their facility; (2) Developed and managed a Mercury Minimization Program for their facility; (3) Drafted and implemented a purchasing policy that requires vendors to sign a mercury-content disclosure agreement; (4) Conducted a facility-wide information campaign and employee education on the consequence of continued mercury use; and (5) Identified and removed unnecessary practices that promote the use and distribution of mercury-containing medical devices.