Group holds fora in Palawan to push for mercury-free health care in 2010
November 24, 2009 12:16 pm
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Nov. 24 — Due to the hazards mercury poses to public health and to the environment, the Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), an international organization working to transform the healthcare sector worldwide, is currently advocating the phasing-out of mercury-containing devices from hospitals and other healthcare facilities all over the world, including Puerto Princesa and Palawan.
As part of its drive to make the healthcare sector mercury-free, the HCWH is holding different fora in Palawan and this city with medical practitioners at the Adventist Hospital.
The dangers of continuously using mercury-containing devices and the advantages of using the alternatives were discussed in the forum.
Faye Ferrer, program officer for mercury, said during the press conference that the characteristics of mercury make it potentially hazardous to the people’s health. It could also contaminate the environment.
Mercury is used in the traditional thermometer and other medical devices. However, the HCWC claims that using these mercury-containing devices is not safe and could lead to exposure to the harmful effects of the element.
Mercury is a neurotoxin. It attacks the brain. Exposure to it could lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of brain diseases.
In September 2008, the Department of Health (DOH) signed Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine healthcare facilities and institutions by 2010.
Safer alternatives are being introduced to replace the mercury containing devices.
According to the news release from HCWC, there are already more than 50 hospitals in the Philippines that have phased-out or are phasing-out mercury devices in their facilities.
Ferrer said that being merely an importer of mercury, the Philippine industry will not be adversely affected even if the country stopped importing mercurial product from other countries.
Talks are also underway as to the long-term storage of the phased-out mercury containing devices. In the meantime, these devises are being kept temporarily in hospital facilities.
The important thing at the moment, according to Ferrer, is to raise public awareness on the dangers of mercury and to consolidate efforts from concerned sectors to achieve a mercury-free health care by 2010. (PNA)
FFC/CARF/mec
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