NEWS RELEASE
July 6, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP WELCOMES ONA APPOINTMENT
Warns of multitude tasks ahead
Envi-health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) welcomes the appointment of Dr. Enrique T. Ona as head of the Department of Health (DoH) and hopes that “the new Secretary will do more than his predecessor.”
According to Merci Ferrer, hopes where very high when outgoing Secretary Esperanza Cabral was appointed. “As former head of the Philippine Society of Hypertension, Cabral expressed full support to the phase-out of mercury-containing devices in health care during the 2006 Southeast Asia Mercury in Health Care Conference held in Manila. She promised the same support when she became Health Secretary.”
RP health care translates to mercury-free
In February this year, HCWH-SEA visited Cabral and gained support to six key measures to ensure that the public will be safe from mercury.
These include the immediate banning on importation of mercury-containing devices, non-issuance of permits to distributor of mercury-containing devices, more information dissemination programs on the phase-out of mercury to LGU-controlled health care units, release of 13.2M allocation for 66 DoH-retained hospitals to purchase non-mercurial devices under the 2009 General Appropriations Act (GAA), program to follow-up on the state of the more than 20 student victims of mercury poisoning in St. Andrew’s School in Paranaque in 2006, and programs to replace mercury devices in hospitals.
To date, only the non-issuance of permits to distributor of mercury-containing devices is being implemented.
“We are hopeful and very positive that Sec. Ona can continue the legacy that former Sec. Enrique Duque and Sec. Cabral have started in terms of mercury phase-out by calling for the immediate banning on importation of mercury-containing devices and other green initiatives in the health care setting,” Ferrer said.
“This is the right and urgent time for Sec. Ona to implement those measures that were left out by the two previous Secretaries.”
In 2008 under former Sec. Duque, DoH issued A.O. 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all health care facilities and institutions by September 2010.
“The challenge is for Secretary Ona to ensure that Philippine health care system will be free of mercury-containing devices on the 1st quarter of his tenure,” said Ferrer.
No sweat
Mercury phase-out is “no-sweat” work for Ona. “As Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, he phased-out all mercury-containing devices by January 2010, eight months ahead of the deadline,” said Ferrer.
The deadline for the phase-out is September 11, 2010. “Seventy three days in office and we believe at least 85% of health facilities will be mercury-free with the remaining 15% near complete phase-out,” Ferrer said.
“The next crucial task is for the DoH to make sure that hospitals safely and properly store phased-out mercurial devices in their respective facilities,” Ferrer said. The DoH along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned stakeholders likewise need to look into possible intermediate storage area for phased-out devices,” Ferrer added.
Higher hopes
Beyond mercury phase-out, the group likewise reminds Ona of another environmental health issue that needs to be addressed.
“On top of the many issues, there is the impounded health budget that needs to be released to translate to services that will be felt by the people.”
Under the 2008 General Appropriations Act, the unreleased health budget includes Php 100 million for the purchase of autoclave machines for infectious medical waste treatment, the Php 400 million for the tuberculosis program and the Php 1.82 billion for family health. For 2009, the government allotted Php13.2 million for purchase of mercury-free thermometers to DoH-retained hospitals.
“We call on the new leadership to take on environmental health issues and to work on positive actions not just for health but for the environment.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer, +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
P-NOY SHOULD DO AN OBAMA
NEWS RELEASE
June 23, 2010
P-NOY SHOULD DO AN OBAMA
Groups urge new President-elect to do more than Obama on mercury
Twenty days before the 2008 US Presidential election, then US President George W. Bush signed into law the Mercury Export Ban of 2008 introduced by then junior Sen. Barack Obama. “P-Noy may do more by signing an EO (executive order) completely banning mercury in the Philippines, particularly mercury in health care and other unsustainable uses of mercury,” says Faye Ferrer, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “But the question is, will he do more?”
Asked what prompted then Senator Obama to sponsor the bill, "Exposure to mercury leads to serious developmental problems in children as well as problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure, and fertility in adults…. Despite our country's (United States) improved efforts to contain and collect mercury over the years, we remain one of the world's leading exporters of this dangerous product, so I am proud this bill will finally ban mercury exports."
Ferrer agrees, “The dangers of mercury have been established. Time and again, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed that there is no safe level of mercury exposure of humans. Our Health department has likewise paved the way for mercury phase-out with Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions.”
“Just like in smoking, we wonder, will P-Noy heed Obama’s advice?” asked Ferrer.
It may be recalled that when Obama called-up to congratulate the new President-elect, among the things mentioned in their conversation was their common addiction to smoking. Fortunately for the Americans, Obama, who is obviously concerned with several environmental health issues, had paved the way for mercury-free society and has likewise stopped smoking.
The US Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, prohibits the transfer of elemental mercury by federal agencies, bans U.S. export of elemental mercury by 2013, and requires the Department of Energy to designate and manage an elemental mercury long-term disposal facility.
“P-Noy can definitely make this country a mercury-free Philippines with an EO,” Ferrer added. “Our new President needs to see that the calls to stop smoking and ban mercury are not personal attacks to him. Both issues impact his health and people’s health and his immediate environment and everyone’s environment,” said Ferrer.
Likewise, Ban Toxics an environmental justice group supported the call saying if Aquino is serious in addressing the problems of the nation, he should do an Obama, and finally put an end to mercury importation in the country.
“The Philippines does not produce mercury. Toxic mercury is traded to us from foreign sources. Banning the imports of mercury, particularly mercury destined for sectors that are phasing it out and those engaged in unsustainable uses, is the logical and safest thing to do,” stated Atty. Richard Gutierrez, Executive Director of Ban Toxics.
“With an EO, P-Noy can also quickly address the removal of this toxin in schools, where the Philippines has experienced its most documented mercury spill ever,” says Gutierrez.
In 2006, a school in Las Pinas had to be cleaned-up for mercury spill. Twenty-four students wound in the hospital as confirmed cases of mercury poisoning.
“The effects of mercury on the brain and nervous system are incurable and permanent. We do not want another mercury spill to happen and no parent would wish this misfortune upon any child,” added Gutierrez.
“President-elect Aquino may do more than Obama thru an immediate ban of mercury importation into our country,” Ferrer expressed. “The US banned its mercury exports 20 days before Obama even took office. We are confident that P-Noy can do more by doing this within his first 20 days or less in office,” Ferrer optimistically said.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Ban Toxics is a non-profit environmental organization that seeks to promote environmental justice and prevent dumping of toxic wastes and products in the Southeast Asian region. It is a member of the Basel Action Network, Zero Mercury Working Group, and International POPs Elimination Network. For more information, see www.bantoxics.org.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Richard Gutierrez, +63 2 929 1635; richard@bantoxics.org
June 23, 2010
P-NOY SHOULD DO AN OBAMA
Groups urge new President-elect to do more than Obama on mercury
Twenty days before the 2008 US Presidential election, then US President George W. Bush signed into law the Mercury Export Ban of 2008 introduced by then junior Sen. Barack Obama. “P-Noy may do more by signing an EO (executive order) completely banning mercury in the Philippines, particularly mercury in health care and other unsustainable uses of mercury,” says Faye Ferrer, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “But the question is, will he do more?”
Asked what prompted then Senator Obama to sponsor the bill, "Exposure to mercury leads to serious developmental problems in children as well as problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure, and fertility in adults…. Despite our country's (United States) improved efforts to contain and collect mercury over the years, we remain one of the world's leading exporters of this dangerous product, so I am proud this bill will finally ban mercury exports."
Ferrer agrees, “The dangers of mercury have been established. Time and again, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed that there is no safe level of mercury exposure of humans. Our Health department has likewise paved the way for mercury phase-out with Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions.”
“Just like in smoking, we wonder, will P-Noy heed Obama’s advice?” asked Ferrer.
It may be recalled that when Obama called-up to congratulate the new President-elect, among the things mentioned in their conversation was their common addiction to smoking. Fortunately for the Americans, Obama, who is obviously concerned with several environmental health issues, had paved the way for mercury-free society and has likewise stopped smoking.
The US Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, prohibits the transfer of elemental mercury by federal agencies, bans U.S. export of elemental mercury by 2013, and requires the Department of Energy to designate and manage an elemental mercury long-term disposal facility.
“P-Noy can definitely make this country a mercury-free Philippines with an EO,” Ferrer added. “Our new President needs to see that the calls to stop smoking and ban mercury are not personal attacks to him. Both issues impact his health and people’s health and his immediate environment and everyone’s environment,” said Ferrer.
Likewise, Ban Toxics an environmental justice group supported the call saying if Aquino is serious in addressing the problems of the nation, he should do an Obama, and finally put an end to mercury importation in the country.
“The Philippines does not produce mercury. Toxic mercury is traded to us from foreign sources. Banning the imports of mercury, particularly mercury destined for sectors that are phasing it out and those engaged in unsustainable uses, is the logical and safest thing to do,” stated Atty. Richard Gutierrez, Executive Director of Ban Toxics.
“With an EO, P-Noy can also quickly address the removal of this toxin in schools, where the Philippines has experienced its most documented mercury spill ever,” says Gutierrez.
In 2006, a school in Las Pinas had to be cleaned-up for mercury spill. Twenty-four students wound in the hospital as confirmed cases of mercury poisoning.
“The effects of mercury on the brain and nervous system are incurable and permanent. We do not want another mercury spill to happen and no parent would wish this misfortune upon any child,” added Gutierrez.
“President-elect Aquino may do more than Obama thru an immediate ban of mercury importation into our country,” Ferrer expressed. “The US banned its mercury exports 20 days before Obama even took office. We are confident that P-Noy can do more by doing this within his first 20 days or less in office,” Ferrer optimistically said.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Ban Toxics is a non-profit environmental organization that seeks to promote environmental justice and prevent dumping of toxic wastes and products in the Southeast Asian region. It is a member of the Basel Action Network, Zero Mercury Working Group, and International POPs Elimination Network. For more information, see www.bantoxics.org.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Richard Gutierrez, +63 2 929 1635; richard@bantoxics.org
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP PUSHES FOR STRONGER MERCURY POLICY
NEWS RELEASE
June 11, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP PUSHES FOR STRONGER MERCURY POLICY
Stockholm, Sweden – As the world’s government gathers to negotiate on a mercury treaty, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) calls on the Philippine government to “put teeth into the Health Department’s AO 21” by ordering immediate importation ban on mercury.
Administrative Order 21 which mandates the gradual phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by September 2010 “needs not just teeth, but claws as well, to make it work,” says Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care, at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury (INC1) in Stockholm, Sweden.
“While the Philippines is leading in terms of having a national policy on mercury phase-out in health care, we are lacking in implementation,” Ferrer pointed out. “The Department of Health (DoH) is targeting 100% mercury phase-out in the DoH-retained hospitals by September but there are 1,851 hospitals all over the country, not to mention the rural health units and other small health facilities controlled by the local government.”
Barely three months into the DoH imposed deadline, several facilities are still at a lost of where to source funding for mercury alternatives. “Funding is already allocated but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has yet to release it,” says Ferrer.
Mercurial thermometers and sphygmomanometers are still readily available in big and small drugstores operating in the country. Another concern raised by those already phasing-out mercurial devices is on the longer disposal area for phased-out devices.
Towards the tipping point
Just in time for the INC1 meeting, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a two-year progress report on the Global Mercury-Free Health Care Initiative. The report highlights the mercury phase-out and substitution happening around the globe as well the national policies being enacted by different governments.
The global initiative aims to phase-out the demand for mercury-containing fever thermometers and sphygmomanometers by at least 70% and to shift the production of these mercury-containing devices to accurate, affordable and safer non-mercury alternatives.
According to the report, “momentum is growing and mercury-free health care is increasingly becoming the status quo in many countries. The Global Initiative is moving closer to a tipping point that will shift the dynamics of supply and demand in the global thermometer and blood pressure device markets away from mercury and towards the alternatives.”
The report maybe downloaded from http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/mercury/Toward_the_Tipping_Point.pdf
Health care without mercury treaty
When government leaders are pushing for mercury phase-out around the globe thru a treaty, HCWH, International Council of Nurses, World Federation of Public Health Associations and Doctors for the Environment are calling on the health sector to lead the way in mercury phase-out.
The group of health workers aims to make sure that the treaty being negotiated will protect human health and the global environment, supports a transformation to a mercury-free health care, and promotes health by phasing-out a broad spectrum of mercury-related activities and products—restrict the global flow of mercury, phase-out mercury use and emissions and foster alternatives to mercury.
The health sector’s platform for INC1 may be downloaded at http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/mercury/Health_Sector_Platform_for_INC1.pdf.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
June 11, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP PUSHES FOR STRONGER MERCURY POLICY
Stockholm, Sweden – As the world’s government gathers to negotiate on a mercury treaty, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) calls on the Philippine government to “put teeth into the Health Department’s AO 21” by ordering immediate importation ban on mercury.
Administrative Order 21 which mandates the gradual phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by September 2010 “needs not just teeth, but claws as well, to make it work,” says Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care, at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury (INC1) in Stockholm, Sweden.
“While the Philippines is leading in terms of having a national policy on mercury phase-out in health care, we are lacking in implementation,” Ferrer pointed out. “The Department of Health (DoH) is targeting 100% mercury phase-out in the DoH-retained hospitals by September but there are 1,851 hospitals all over the country, not to mention the rural health units and other small health facilities controlled by the local government.”
Barely three months into the DoH imposed deadline, several facilities are still at a lost of where to source funding for mercury alternatives. “Funding is already allocated but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has yet to release it,” says Ferrer.
Mercurial thermometers and sphygmomanometers are still readily available in big and small drugstores operating in the country. Another concern raised by those already phasing-out mercurial devices is on the longer disposal area for phased-out devices.
Towards the tipping point
Just in time for the INC1 meeting, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a two-year progress report on the Global Mercury-Free Health Care Initiative. The report highlights the mercury phase-out and substitution happening around the globe as well the national policies being enacted by different governments.
The global initiative aims to phase-out the demand for mercury-containing fever thermometers and sphygmomanometers by at least 70% and to shift the production of these mercury-containing devices to accurate, affordable and safer non-mercury alternatives.
According to the report, “momentum is growing and mercury-free health care is increasingly becoming the status quo in many countries. The Global Initiative is moving closer to a tipping point that will shift the dynamics of supply and demand in the global thermometer and blood pressure device markets away from mercury and towards the alternatives.”
The report maybe downloaded from http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/mercury/Toward_the_Tipping_Point.pdf
Health care without mercury treaty
When government leaders are pushing for mercury phase-out around the globe thru a treaty, HCWH, International Council of Nurses, World Federation of Public Health Associations and Doctors for the Environment are calling on the health sector to lead the way in mercury phase-out.
The group of health workers aims to make sure that the treaty being negotiated will protect human health and the global environment, supports a transformation to a mercury-free health care, and promotes health by phasing-out a broad spectrum of mercury-related activities and products—restrict the global flow of mercury, phase-out mercury use and emissions and foster alternatives to mercury.
The health sector’s platform for INC1 may be downloaded at http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/mercury/Health_Sector_Platform_for_INC1.pdf.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Friday, June 4, 2010
MERCURY (PHASE-OUT) IS IN THE AIR
NEWS RELEASE
June 4, 2010
MERCURY (PHASE-OUT) IS IN THE AIR
HCWH-SEA-Collins International Trading Corporation-Watsons Personal Care Stores Phils. taking mercury phase-out in health care to greater heights
The summer steaming heat alternated by constant rain may just be the condition needed for mercury to vaporize. But no need to worry, mercury phase-out is in the air this World Environment Day as Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) gains two more partners in phasing-out mercury in health care.
Barely three months before the deadline of mercury phase-out in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, Collins International Trading Corp (CITC), a distributor of mercury alternatives in health care and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Phil.), Inc have teamed-up with HCWH-SEA in intensifying campaign to put mercury devices to a rest and provide alternatives to health care facilities and the general public.
“Now that we are nearing the September 2010 deadline as prescribed by Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order 21, we want both the health care sector and the general public to know why we are phasing out mercury devices, what are the dangers of continuous use, the alternatives available and guidelines on temporary storing old mercurial devices both at home and in the health care setting,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between the three parties. “We want this information available to as many people as possible.”
Early this year, HCWH-SEA in partnership with the DoH-Center for Health Development (CHD) conducted regional conferences on mercury phase-out in health care in all the regions in the country. The conferences were attended by public and private health units, as well as local government unit (LGU)-controlled health facilities.
“Knowing the dangers of mercury, the public are keen to find available alternatives,” Ferrer said. “We do not just say, stop using mercury devices. We present viable alternatives.” At the regional conferences, distributors of mercurial alternatives were present to show the varied choices as well as respond to queries on accuracy and affordability of the device.
Preventing the mercury poison
“As a distributor of household and medical products, it is in the core vision of CITC to deliver carefully chosen quality products at reasonable prices in order to uplift the living and working standards of our clientele,” said Omron Healthcare Brand Marketing Manager Julie Lee.
“We do not want the irreversible damage of mercury exposure in our conscience. We do not want to cause it or to be an accessory to the crime of mercury poisoning,” Lee lamented.
“Although irreversible, the damage is preventable,” Lee pointed out. CITC, ever since acquiring Omron, has never distributed any mercurial healthcare devices and recently have been actively supporting the campaign on mercury phase-out. Omron is the medical product being distributed by CITC.
Although regularly faced with questions of accuracy and affordability of mercurial alternatives, Collins are keen on guiding their clients in its transition to mercury-free devices.
“Stories of health care facilities who have successfully shifted to mercury-free devices should inspire others to make the switch,” Ferrer said. “We cannot always go back to mercury devices just because one alternative failed our test. We need to continue testing more alternatives until we get the best one.”
According to AO 21, each hospital will designate a Mercury Management Team to study the alternatives.
Mercury-Free Watsons
Watsons Personal Care Stores Phils., on the other hand, has bid mercury-containing equipment such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors goodbye in its 176 stores around the country.
Flyers on mercury—its toxicity and tips on handling mercury spillage—will be distributed in all the stores. While a public service announcement (PSA) with HCWH-SEA and VJ Juddha Paolo will be played in all Watsons’ TV screens.
The mercury phase-out campaign has gained the support of celebrities VJ Juddha Paolo and Albert Martinez.
“With 176 stores all over the country and an average of hundred customers daily, we will reach 176,000 people everyday. We hope that they will share what they have learned to their friends and family who will then pass it on forward to more people,” said Robert U. Sun, Chief Operating Officer of Watsons Personal Care Stores (Phils.), Inc.
“This is our own way of contributing to environmental health,” he added.
Watsons pharmacists and pharmacy assistants will be given training materials on the harmful effects of mercury-containing devices. “We will guide our staff on the dangers of mercury and encourage them to actively explain this to customers,” said Sun. “The more contagious the information is, the better.”
Watsons is donating 1,000 thermometers to 50 government hospitals while CITC is donating 5,000 digital thermometers to HCWH partner hospitals.
Moving forward mercury phase-out
“We need to create this level of awareness in order for things to move forward,” said Ferrer. “Mercury phase-out does not stop with the phase-out per se. We need to provide alternatives. We need to find an intermediate disposal for all the phased-out devices.”
HCWH-SEA, DoH and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) are in the process of discussing intermediate disposal for mercury and importation ban on mercury. Likewise, HCWH-SEA is involved with a United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Project (1) which targets to identify a possible intermediate disposal area for mercury.
“Partnership with private enterprises like Collins International and Watsons are also very helpful, as well as working with concerned government agencies and officials,” Ferrer added.
HCWH-SEA earlier asked the presidential aspirants to support mercury phase-out thru the Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com). Only five have expressed support including president-in-waiting Senator Noynoy Aquino.
“We are also looking at national and international policies that will cover all aspects of the mercury issue,” Ferrer said.
“Our responsibility will not stop with this partnership. We will continue to support other endeavors with regards to providing quality service and products that is safe for the people and the environment,” said Lee. “This will be an unwritten rule for Collins-Omron: do no harm.”
“If we can influence people thru this partnership, then we are not far off from the goal of a mercury-free Philippines,” said Sun.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, HCWH-SEA, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
(1) The UNDP GEF (“Demonstrating and Promoting Best Techniques and Practices for Reducing Health Care Waste to Avoid Environmental Releases of Dioxins and Mercury”I) is a 3-year project that aims to demonstrate and promote best practices and techniques for health care waste management to minimize or eliminate releases of persistent organic pollutants and mercury to the environment in eight selected countries—Argentina, India, Latvia, Lebanon, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania and Vietnam. It will likewise demonstrate the effectiveness of non-burn health care waste treatment technologies.
June 4, 2010
MERCURY (PHASE-OUT) IS IN THE AIR
HCWH-SEA-Collins International Trading Corporation-Watsons Personal Care Stores Phils. taking mercury phase-out in health care to greater heights
The summer steaming heat alternated by constant rain may just be the condition needed for mercury to vaporize. But no need to worry, mercury phase-out is in the air this World Environment Day as Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) gains two more partners in phasing-out mercury in health care.
Barely three months before the deadline of mercury phase-out in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, Collins International Trading Corp (CITC), a distributor of mercury alternatives in health care and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Phil.), Inc have teamed-up with HCWH-SEA in intensifying campaign to put mercury devices to a rest and provide alternatives to health care facilities and the general public.
“Now that we are nearing the September 2010 deadline as prescribed by Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order 21, we want both the health care sector and the general public to know why we are phasing out mercury devices, what are the dangers of continuous use, the alternatives available and guidelines on temporary storing old mercurial devices both at home and in the health care setting,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between the three parties. “We want this information available to as many people as possible.”
Early this year, HCWH-SEA in partnership with the DoH-Center for Health Development (CHD) conducted regional conferences on mercury phase-out in health care in all the regions in the country. The conferences were attended by public and private health units, as well as local government unit (LGU)-controlled health facilities.
“Knowing the dangers of mercury, the public are keen to find available alternatives,” Ferrer said. “We do not just say, stop using mercury devices. We present viable alternatives.” At the regional conferences, distributors of mercurial alternatives were present to show the varied choices as well as respond to queries on accuracy and affordability of the device.
Preventing the mercury poison
“As a distributor of household and medical products, it is in the core vision of CITC to deliver carefully chosen quality products at reasonable prices in order to uplift the living and working standards of our clientele,” said Omron Healthcare Brand Marketing Manager Julie Lee.
“We do not want the irreversible damage of mercury exposure in our conscience. We do not want to cause it or to be an accessory to the crime of mercury poisoning,” Lee lamented.
“Although irreversible, the damage is preventable,” Lee pointed out. CITC, ever since acquiring Omron, has never distributed any mercurial healthcare devices and recently have been actively supporting the campaign on mercury phase-out. Omron is the medical product being distributed by CITC.
Although regularly faced with questions of accuracy and affordability of mercurial alternatives, Collins are keen on guiding their clients in its transition to mercury-free devices.
“Stories of health care facilities who have successfully shifted to mercury-free devices should inspire others to make the switch,” Ferrer said. “We cannot always go back to mercury devices just because one alternative failed our test. We need to continue testing more alternatives until we get the best one.”
According to AO 21, each hospital will designate a Mercury Management Team to study the alternatives.
Mercury-Free Watsons
Watsons Personal Care Stores Phils., on the other hand, has bid mercury-containing equipment such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors goodbye in its 176 stores around the country.
Flyers on mercury—its toxicity and tips on handling mercury spillage—will be distributed in all the stores. While a public service announcement (PSA) with HCWH-SEA and VJ Juddha Paolo will be played in all Watsons’ TV screens.
The mercury phase-out campaign has gained the support of celebrities VJ Juddha Paolo and Albert Martinez.
“With 176 stores all over the country and an average of hundred customers daily, we will reach 176,000 people everyday. We hope that they will share what they have learned to their friends and family who will then pass it on forward to more people,” said Robert U. Sun, Chief Operating Officer of Watsons Personal Care Stores (Phils.), Inc.
“This is our own way of contributing to environmental health,” he added.
Watsons pharmacists and pharmacy assistants will be given training materials on the harmful effects of mercury-containing devices. “We will guide our staff on the dangers of mercury and encourage them to actively explain this to customers,” said Sun. “The more contagious the information is, the better.”
Watsons is donating 1,000 thermometers to 50 government hospitals while CITC is donating 5,000 digital thermometers to HCWH partner hospitals.
Moving forward mercury phase-out
“We need to create this level of awareness in order for things to move forward,” said Ferrer. “Mercury phase-out does not stop with the phase-out per se. We need to provide alternatives. We need to find an intermediate disposal for all the phased-out devices.”
HCWH-SEA, DoH and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) are in the process of discussing intermediate disposal for mercury and importation ban on mercury. Likewise, HCWH-SEA is involved with a United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Project (1) which targets to identify a possible intermediate disposal area for mercury.
“Partnership with private enterprises like Collins International and Watsons are also very helpful, as well as working with concerned government agencies and officials,” Ferrer added.
HCWH-SEA earlier asked the presidential aspirants to support mercury phase-out thru the Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com). Only five have expressed support including president-in-waiting Senator Noynoy Aquino.
“We are also looking at national and international policies that will cover all aspects of the mercury issue,” Ferrer said.
“Our responsibility will not stop with this partnership. We will continue to support other endeavors with regards to providing quality service and products that is safe for the people and the environment,” said Lee. “This will be an unwritten rule for Collins-Omron: do no harm.”
“If we can influence people thru this partnership, then we are not far off from the goal of a mercury-free Philippines,” said Sun.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, HCWH-SEA, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
(1) The UNDP GEF (“Demonstrating and Promoting Best Techniques and Practices for Reducing Health Care Waste to Avoid Environmental Releases of Dioxins and Mercury”I) is a 3-year project that aims to demonstrate and promote best practices and techniques for health care waste management to minimize or eliminate releases of persistent organic pollutants and mercury to the environment in eight selected countries—Argentina, India, Latvia, Lebanon, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania and Vietnam. It will likewise demonstrate the effectiveness of non-burn health care waste treatment technologies.
Friday, May 14, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP URGES AQUINO TO STICK TO PROMISE
NEWS RELEASE
May 14, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP URGES AQUINO TO STICK TO PROMISE
Environmental-health concern should be Universal Health Care’s backbone
Cagayan de Oro City – ‘Thy will be done but do not forget your promise’ says environmental health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) as they call on presidential frontrunner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to put mercury phase-out and other environmental health issues a priority agenda in his 1st 100 days in office. The group likewise calls on the new administration to make environmental health concern part of the universal health care platform of the Aquino Health Agenda (AHA).
“The words of the new president of the country are as good as law,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “If mercury phase-out will be in his top agenda, the country will be free of mercury devices in a span of a few months, greatly surpassing the global target of mercury phase-out by 2017.”
“We also would like to remind Sen. Aquino of his promise that the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to health and the environment and how to address them will be a priority under the health and environment agenda of his Administration” added Ferrer.
A week before the election, HCWH-SEA released that names of presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com). Of the nine presidential bets, only Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas signed the Covenant. Aquino did not but instead send a letter promising support to the campaign.
The Covenant signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“The stage has been set for total mercury phase-out,” says Ferrer referring to Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order (AO) 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by September 2010 as well as the global movement to phase-out mercury. “We do not just want to be a model to other 3rd world countries. We want to show Sen. Aquino that mercury phase-out is achievable given the alternatives available in the country, as well as examples of hospitals who have shifted to mercury alternatives.”
Philippines is the 1st Southeast Asian country and the 1st developing country to have a national policy on mercury phase-out. “The target is total phase-out by September or at least 85% mercury phase-out with the remaining 15% on its way to phase-out,” said Ferrer.
“While we laud the three basics of AHA (universal health care, access to health through improved health infrastructure and a holistic and comprehensive health care system), we would like to reiterate that environmental health should be at its backbone,” pointed out Ferrer.
Under universal health care as the corner stone of health agenda, the target is to achieve universal health care in three years time or less. It added that universal health care should mean that cardholders will not merely get the card but the essential health services, basic medicines and appropriate quality health care.
“At the heart of providing essential health services, we need to recognize that sadly some of the devices found in a health care setting may not always be good for our health,” said Ferrer referring to mercury thermometers which for years had been considered the gold standard but just recently the health sector is fast tracking its phase-out.
The group likewise cited harmful chemicals used in health care which may be polluting and poisoning the water system.
For access to health through improved health infrastructure, the Aquino platform promises to fund 22,000 more barangay health stations, 3,000 more outpatient Rural Health Units and at least 150 more district hospitals.
“Again this is another laudable plan.” She cautions, “In building new health infrastructures, let us think long-term. Yes, we are building to provide for the health needs of all Filipinos, yet let us not forget sustainability. Are the new structures responsive to climate change?” asked Ferrer. “Again being responsive to climate change does not mean we will use expensive materials. Simple modifications in the design of the building so that it is energy efficient and more beneficial to the well-being of the patient and health workers must be considered.”
The AHA likewise promises to implement all the benefits stipulated in the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. Primary goal of the Magna Carta is promotion of social and economic well-being of health workers.
“Occupational safety may be addressed by again looking at the hazards within a health facility. These hazards may include toxic substances used in health care.”
Last, AHA aims to increase the health budget to at least 5% of the national budget as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). For 2010, of the Php1.541 trillion national budget, only Php33.678 billion is allocated to health or 2.2% of the national budget.
“Now that the new administration is considering a budget increase for health, we are reminding the new President to always look at the environmental-health aspect of every health policy. Environment and health can no longer be separated. The last we want is to make purchases and improvements which we will later regret because it failed to consider the correlation between health and environment.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
May 14, 2010
ENVI-HEALTH GROUP URGES AQUINO TO STICK TO PROMISE
Environmental-health concern should be Universal Health Care’s backbone
Cagayan de Oro City – ‘Thy will be done but do not forget your promise’ says environmental health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) as they call on presidential frontrunner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to put mercury phase-out and other environmental health issues a priority agenda in his 1st 100 days in office. The group likewise calls on the new administration to make environmental health concern part of the universal health care platform of the Aquino Health Agenda (AHA).
“The words of the new president of the country are as good as law,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care. “If mercury phase-out will be in his top agenda, the country will be free of mercury devices in a span of a few months, greatly surpassing the global target of mercury phase-out by 2017.”
“We also would like to remind Sen. Aquino of his promise that the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to health and the environment and how to address them will be a priority under the health and environment agenda of his Administration” added Ferrer.
A week before the election, HCWH-SEA released that names of presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com). Of the nine presidential bets, only Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas signed the Covenant. Aquino did not but instead send a letter promising support to the campaign.
The Covenant signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“The stage has been set for total mercury phase-out,” says Ferrer referring to Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order (AO) 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by September 2010 as well as the global movement to phase-out mercury. “We do not just want to be a model to other 3rd world countries. We want to show Sen. Aquino that mercury phase-out is achievable given the alternatives available in the country, as well as examples of hospitals who have shifted to mercury alternatives.”
Philippines is the 1st Southeast Asian country and the 1st developing country to have a national policy on mercury phase-out. “The target is total phase-out by September or at least 85% mercury phase-out with the remaining 15% on its way to phase-out,” said Ferrer.
“While we laud the three basics of AHA (universal health care, access to health through improved health infrastructure and a holistic and comprehensive health care system), we would like to reiterate that environmental health should be at its backbone,” pointed out Ferrer.
Under universal health care as the corner stone of health agenda, the target is to achieve universal health care in three years time or less. It added that universal health care should mean that cardholders will not merely get the card but the essential health services, basic medicines and appropriate quality health care.
“At the heart of providing essential health services, we need to recognize that sadly some of the devices found in a health care setting may not always be good for our health,” said Ferrer referring to mercury thermometers which for years had been considered the gold standard but just recently the health sector is fast tracking its phase-out.
The group likewise cited harmful chemicals used in health care which may be polluting and poisoning the water system.
For access to health through improved health infrastructure, the Aquino platform promises to fund 22,000 more barangay health stations, 3,000 more outpatient Rural Health Units and at least 150 more district hospitals.
“Again this is another laudable plan.” She cautions, “In building new health infrastructures, let us think long-term. Yes, we are building to provide for the health needs of all Filipinos, yet let us not forget sustainability. Are the new structures responsive to climate change?” asked Ferrer. “Again being responsive to climate change does not mean we will use expensive materials. Simple modifications in the design of the building so that it is energy efficient and more beneficial to the well-being of the patient and health workers must be considered.”
The AHA likewise promises to implement all the benefits stipulated in the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. Primary goal of the Magna Carta is promotion of social and economic well-being of health workers.
“Occupational safety may be addressed by again looking at the hazards within a health facility. These hazards may include toxic substances used in health care.”
Last, AHA aims to increase the health budget to at least 5% of the national budget as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). For 2010, of the Php1.541 trillion national budget, only Php33.678 billion is allocated to health or 2.2% of the national budget.
“Now that the new administration is considering a budget increase for health, we are reminding the new President to always look at the environmental-health aspect of every health policy. Environment and health can no longer be separated. The last we want is to make purchases and improvements which we will later regret because it failed to consider the correlation between health and environment.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Thursday, May 6, 2010
PRESIDENT DECIDES FATE OF MERCURY
NEWS RELEASE
May 5, 2010
PRESIDENT DECIDES FATE OF MERCURY
Health sector’s prescription: Choose your president wisely
Environmental-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today released the names of the presidential bets that the health sector concerned with environment would “most likely support.” The health sector, for their part, sent out their prescription: Choose your next president wisely.
Among the presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant are Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas.
“The health sector is more than glad that these presidential aspirants have taken a keen interest in greening our health care,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care.
Former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino did not respond while Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan and Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD did not sign. Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, did not sign the Covenant and instead sent a letter thru his campaign manager Florencio Abad expressing support to achieve a healthy environment for all Filipinos. The letter says, the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to the health and the environment and how to address them will definitely be a priority under the health and environment agenda of the Aquino-Roxas administration.
“We would have wanted Sen. Aquino to sign the Covenant for we know that a Covenant, just like a contract, is far more binding than a letter of promise. But we will definitely follow-up on his letter,” said Ferrer.
The Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com) signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“It is good to see who will take on the challenge of greening the health care system once elected,” said Ferrer. “While we already have an Administrative Order mandating the phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, the next President’s readiness to address the issue is crucial in attaining our goal of a mercury-free Philippines and a greener health care.”
The many shades of green health
Greening the health care is no easy task. In the regional conferences organized by HCWH-SEA and DoH-Center for Health Development, among the issues raised on mercury phase-out are lack of funding, information dissemination and disposal.
Few months before the September 2010 deadline for mercury phase-out, majority of health facilities controlled by the local government units (LGU) are unaware of the existence of the AO.
While the DoH is keen on phasing-out mercury in the health sector, most particularly from the DoH-controlled hospitals, the absence of suitable disposal area remains an issue. AO 21 mandates that phased-out mercury devices must be stored in a safe place within the hospital facility.
“However, there is a need to find a more centralized intermediate storage where all the devices phased-out from hospitals and even households may be sent. This storage may also be used to store other mercury-containing devices beyond those used in the health care,” Ferrer pointed out.
While waiting on the intermediate storage area, the group advises households to stop using existing mercurial devices at home and to store it in a safe place at home.
In terms of chemical safety, chemicals that are harmful to health are still prevalently used in health care. Some of these toxic chemicals are methylacrylate, xylene, organic solvents, formaldehyde and cleaning and sterilizing compounds such as ethylene oxide, sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, and phenols.
“Sterilizing agents like Cidex contain glutaraldehyde and fixatives for tissues have formaldehyde while benzene- and phenol-containing cleaners are all carcinogenic,” Ferrer explained.
Talking of climate change, “I am sure that after months of campaigning and sorties under the intense heat of the sun, our presidential bets are more than aware of climate change and its impact,” Ferrer said. “The health sector, being an energy intensive industry may contribute to lessening the impacts of climate change thru simple modifications within their facility. We need a President who will support these endeavors,” she added.
“Waste disposal is another issue. Although wastes generated from hospitals are but a small portion of general wastes, we have to remember that in aiming for a zero waste country, we need to address the small but just as important issue of medical waste.”
“We need a President who will address these issues head on. He/she must be willing and able to look at the issues and act. The new President should be able to provide a situation where the attainment of these goals is within reach,” Ferrer pointed out.
“We know that there are myriads of other issues out there but if the new President will take the time to look into environmental health issues on his first 100 days in office, he is not just addressing environmental health concerns but public health as well. He may even be contributing to the limited national budget by preventing occurrence of envi-related diseases and thus extending the budget to other immediate health concerns.”
Although not as obvious as hunger or nutrition problems, environmental health issue greatly impacts the public health. According to the 2006 World Bank (WB) Philippines Environment Monitor, globally it is estimated that 24% of the disease burden and 23% of premature deaths could be avoided through a better environment. In the Philippines, environment-related health risks (air pollution, water pollution, sanitation and hygiene practices) account for an estimated 22% of the reported disease cases and nearly six percent of reported deaths and costing Php14.3 billion (US$287 million) per year in lost income and medical expenses.
Voting wisely
Now that the signatories know who among the Presidential bets will take on environmental health issue, will this change their mind when they cast their votes on May 10?
“This will definitely influence the people’s choice. Even though you have previously selected your candidate, you will think twice when you know that your choice is not supportive of environmental health concerns,” said Edgardo F. Faustino, MD, FPCP, President of Philippine College of Physician-Southern Luzon Chapter. “The key is to choose and vote wisely. And whoever wins in May, we need to continue to push forward our call to a greener health care.”
Signatories of the Covenant include health care practitioners from the Philippine Army, members of the Philippine Society of Pathologists, Philippine College of Physicians and health workers from different parts of the country.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
May 5, 2010
PRESIDENT DECIDES FATE OF MERCURY
Health sector’s prescription: Choose your president wisely
Environmental-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today released the names of the presidential bets that the health sector concerned with environment would “most likely support.” The health sector, for their part, sent out their prescription: Choose your next president wisely.
Among the presidential aspirants who signed the Green Health Covenant are Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas.
“The health sector is more than glad that these presidential aspirants have taken a keen interest in greening our health care,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury in Health Care.
Former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino did not respond while Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan and Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD did not sign. Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, did not sign the Covenant and instead sent a letter thru his campaign manager Florencio Abad expressing support to achieve a healthy environment for all Filipinos. The letter says, the dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to the health and the environment and how to address them will definitely be a priority under the health and environment agenda of the Aquino-Roxas administration.
“We would have wanted Sen. Aquino to sign the Covenant for we know that a Covenant, just like a contract, is far more binding than a letter of promise. But we will definitely follow-up on his letter,” said Ferrer.
The Green Health Covenant (http://GreenHealthCovenant.multiply.com) signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the Covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting and is responsive to climate change.
“It is good to see who will take on the challenge of greening the health care system once elected,” said Ferrer. “While we already have an Administrative Order mandating the phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions, the next President’s readiness to address the issue is crucial in attaining our goal of a mercury-free Philippines and a greener health care.”
The many shades of green health
Greening the health care is no easy task. In the regional conferences organized by HCWH-SEA and DoH-Center for Health Development, among the issues raised on mercury phase-out are lack of funding, information dissemination and disposal.
Few months before the September 2010 deadline for mercury phase-out, majority of health facilities controlled by the local government units (LGU) are unaware of the existence of the AO.
While the DoH is keen on phasing-out mercury in the health sector, most particularly from the DoH-controlled hospitals, the absence of suitable disposal area remains an issue. AO 21 mandates that phased-out mercury devices must be stored in a safe place within the hospital facility.
“However, there is a need to find a more centralized intermediate storage where all the devices phased-out from hospitals and even households may be sent. This storage may also be used to store other mercury-containing devices beyond those used in the health care,” Ferrer pointed out.
While waiting on the intermediate storage area, the group advises households to stop using existing mercurial devices at home and to store it in a safe place at home.
In terms of chemical safety, chemicals that are harmful to health are still prevalently used in health care. Some of these toxic chemicals are methylacrylate, xylene, organic solvents, formaldehyde and cleaning and sterilizing compounds such as ethylene oxide, sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, and phenols.
“Sterilizing agents like Cidex contain glutaraldehyde and fixatives for tissues have formaldehyde while benzene- and phenol-containing cleaners are all carcinogenic,” Ferrer explained.
Talking of climate change, “I am sure that after months of campaigning and sorties under the intense heat of the sun, our presidential bets are more than aware of climate change and its impact,” Ferrer said. “The health sector, being an energy intensive industry may contribute to lessening the impacts of climate change thru simple modifications within their facility. We need a President who will support these endeavors,” she added.
“Waste disposal is another issue. Although wastes generated from hospitals are but a small portion of general wastes, we have to remember that in aiming for a zero waste country, we need to address the small but just as important issue of medical waste.”
“We need a President who will address these issues head on. He/she must be willing and able to look at the issues and act. The new President should be able to provide a situation where the attainment of these goals is within reach,” Ferrer pointed out.
“We know that there are myriads of other issues out there but if the new President will take the time to look into environmental health issues on his first 100 days in office, he is not just addressing environmental health concerns but public health as well. He may even be contributing to the limited national budget by preventing occurrence of envi-related diseases and thus extending the budget to other immediate health concerns.”
Although not as obvious as hunger or nutrition problems, environmental health issue greatly impacts the public health. According to the 2006 World Bank (WB) Philippines Environment Monitor, globally it is estimated that 24% of the disease burden and 23% of premature deaths could be avoided through a better environment. In the Philippines, environment-related health risks (air pollution, water pollution, sanitation and hygiene practices) account for an estimated 22% of the reported disease cases and nearly six percent of reported deaths and costing Php14.3 billion (US$287 million) per year in lost income and medical expenses.
Voting wisely
Now that the signatories know who among the Presidential bets will take on environmental health issue, will this change their mind when they cast their votes on May 10?
“This will definitely influence the people’s choice. Even though you have previously selected your candidate, you will think twice when you know that your choice is not supportive of environmental health concerns,” said Edgardo F. Faustino, MD, FPCP, President of Philippine College of Physician-Southern Luzon Chapter. “The key is to choose and vote wisely. And whoever wins in May, we need to continue to push forward our call to a greener health care.”
Signatories of the Covenant include health care practitioners from the Philippine Army, members of the Philippine Society of Pathologists, Philippine College of Physicians and health workers from different parts of the country.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Monday, April 26, 2010
EARTH DAY PRESCRIPTION: SEGREGATE WASTE
NEWS RELEASE
April 21, 2010
EARTH DAY PRESCRIPTION: SEGREGATE WASTE
Envi-health group warns of hazardous wastes in bins, less vote to waste-generating candidates
What are you doing for Earth Day? Envi-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) poses this question while appealing to the public to start waste segregation today as a gift to Mother Earth this Earth Day and beyond. They further warned that not all hazardous wastes come in big packages citing batteries, fluorescent lamps and broken thermometers as “small but terribly hazardous wastes”.
According to Cristina Parungao, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Promotions of Best Hospital Practices, it’s a simple memory and color coding game. Remember, Green for biodegradable wastes (kitchen and yard wastes) and Black for non-biodegradable and recyclable wastes.
For health care facilities, you add red for sharps and pressurized containers, orange for radioactive waste, yellow for infectious and pathological waste and yellow with black band for chemical waste.
Unlike hospitals who are mandated to follow waste segregation within their facilities, other establishments and households do not seem bound to follow proper waste segregation inspite of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
The Act requires mandatory segregation of waste with the local government unit (LGU) as primarily responsible for implementation. Segregation must be conducted at the source to include household, institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural sources.
“However this is not followed in schools, offices and LGUs,” Parungao pointed out.
“The environmental and health impacts of waste segregation must never be underestimated. Imagine if you will throw away batteries that contain lead or broken thermometers with spilled mercury in your regular trash bins. These are sent to landfills where the lead and mercury may either find their way into the water system or pose greater threat to waste pickers,” she exclaimed. “This is both hazardous to the environment and the public health.”
“Thus we encourage all establishments especially the LGUs to implement waste segregation thru the Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs). The MRFs either in the barangay or municipal level would know where hazardous wastes will be sent for treatment.”
Waste segregation to waste reduction
As early as 2001, World Bank (WB) Philippine Environment Monitor estimated that the annual waste generation of 10 million tons is expected to increase to 40% at the end of the decade.
“Proper waste segregation can bring down the total number of wastes collected,” Parungao pointed out. “Simple check of trash cans around the city and you will notice that majority of the items that you find in trash bags are bottles, boxes, and food containers which may be reused or recycled. Kitchen wastes on the other hand are better off composted.”
The country does not fare well when it comes to recycling. In 2001, while Singapore recycled 44.4% of their solid waste, Philippines recycled and reused only 12%. (UNEP)
Although waste segregation is one solution it is not the end-all to all problems. The group likewise encourages reduction at source, re-use, recycling and composting.
The group cited St. Paul Hospitals in Cavite and Tuguegarao for their recycling and composting efforts within their health care facilities. Through these, the hospitals have fewer waste generated, less expense on waste collection and higher savings. The hospitals likewise are enjoying their bio-kita or earnings from wastes.
In 2009 alone, St. Paul Hospital Cavite earned Php40,000 from recycling wastes. While the hospital in Tuguegarao earns Php3,500 to 5,000 per month.
Other hospitals in the country and outside the country have done a fare share of contribution to save the earth (www.noharm.org/earthday).
“Municipalities, schools and other establishments may very well use these examples as model,” Parungao said. “Waste segregation will decrease the volume of waste thus waste pickers will only need to collect residuals.”
Color coding your candidate
The group likewise appeals to candidates to try minimizing their trash during campaign sorties. “While we are at color coding, remember that green posters and ribbons are the work of whoever is using that color, red to the red colored candidate and so on.”
“To the candidates we appeal, while you love your campaign color, please try to minimize your waste. One colored trash may be one less vote,” they warned.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Cristina Parungao, +63 917 8800227; cris@hcwh.org
April 21, 2010
EARTH DAY PRESCRIPTION: SEGREGATE WASTE
Envi-health group warns of hazardous wastes in bins, less vote to waste-generating candidates
What are you doing for Earth Day? Envi-health group, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) poses this question while appealing to the public to start waste segregation today as a gift to Mother Earth this Earth Day and beyond. They further warned that not all hazardous wastes come in big packages citing batteries, fluorescent lamps and broken thermometers as “small but terribly hazardous wastes”.
According to Cristina Parungao, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Promotions of Best Hospital Practices, it’s a simple memory and color coding game. Remember, Green for biodegradable wastes (kitchen and yard wastes) and Black for non-biodegradable and recyclable wastes.
For health care facilities, you add red for sharps and pressurized containers, orange for radioactive waste, yellow for infectious and pathological waste and yellow with black band for chemical waste.
Unlike hospitals who are mandated to follow waste segregation within their facilities, other establishments and households do not seem bound to follow proper waste segregation inspite of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
The Act requires mandatory segregation of waste with the local government unit (LGU) as primarily responsible for implementation. Segregation must be conducted at the source to include household, institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural sources.
“However this is not followed in schools, offices and LGUs,” Parungao pointed out.
“The environmental and health impacts of waste segregation must never be underestimated. Imagine if you will throw away batteries that contain lead or broken thermometers with spilled mercury in your regular trash bins. These are sent to landfills where the lead and mercury may either find their way into the water system or pose greater threat to waste pickers,” she exclaimed. “This is both hazardous to the environment and the public health.”
“Thus we encourage all establishments especially the LGUs to implement waste segregation thru the Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs). The MRFs either in the barangay or municipal level would know where hazardous wastes will be sent for treatment.”
Waste segregation to waste reduction
As early as 2001, World Bank (WB) Philippine Environment Monitor estimated that the annual waste generation of 10 million tons is expected to increase to 40% at the end of the decade.
“Proper waste segregation can bring down the total number of wastes collected,” Parungao pointed out. “Simple check of trash cans around the city and you will notice that majority of the items that you find in trash bags are bottles, boxes, and food containers which may be reused or recycled. Kitchen wastes on the other hand are better off composted.”
The country does not fare well when it comes to recycling. In 2001, while Singapore recycled 44.4% of their solid waste, Philippines recycled and reused only 12%. (UNEP)
Although waste segregation is one solution it is not the end-all to all problems. The group likewise encourages reduction at source, re-use, recycling and composting.
The group cited St. Paul Hospitals in Cavite and Tuguegarao for their recycling and composting efforts within their health care facilities. Through these, the hospitals have fewer waste generated, less expense on waste collection and higher savings. The hospitals likewise are enjoying their bio-kita or earnings from wastes.
In 2009 alone, St. Paul Hospital Cavite earned Php40,000 from recycling wastes. While the hospital in Tuguegarao earns Php3,500 to 5,000 per month.
Other hospitals in the country and outside the country have done a fare share of contribution to save the earth (www.noharm.org/earthday).
“Municipalities, schools and other establishments may very well use these examples as model,” Parungao said. “Waste segregation will decrease the volume of waste thus waste pickers will only need to collect residuals.”
Color coding your candidate
The group likewise appeals to candidates to try minimizing their trash during campaign sorties. “While we are at color coding, remember that green posters and ribbons are the work of whoever is using that color, red to the red colored candidate and so on.”
“To the candidates we appeal, while you love your campaign color, please try to minimize your waste. One colored trash may be one less vote,” they warned.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.ph.
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Cristina Parungao, +63 917 8800227; cris@hcwh.org
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