MANILA, Philippines - In celebration of the first anniversary of mercury phase-out in all Philippine hospitals, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia’s 4th leg of blood pressure and temperature screening activity using mercury-free devices drew a big crowd in Pasig City .
“We go around the different cities in the country to showcase that mercury-free alternatives in health care are available. We chose Pasig because we saw the city’s goal for a green environment, as well as its many health care-related activities. We want to show them that greening the health care is a big step towards a healthy environment,” says Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA program officer for mercury.
In September 2008, the Department of Health (DoH) issued Administrative Order (AO) 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010. To date, more than 50 hospitals are moving away from mercury devices.
“More than hospitals, we also want to get support from local government units and hope that LGU-initiated health care projects or medical missions will move towards the greener alternative,” Ferrer points out.
“Pasig City ’s health care projects include dental, tuberculosis, family planning, maternal and child health programs, and senior citizen vaccination. We hope that in all these projects, Pasig will always veer away from using mercury devices,” Ferrer adds.
Pasig City health officer Dr. Georgiana Galutera is very supportive of the shift to mercury-free alternatives. “ Pasig City has always been for projects that will benefit the people, their health, and the environment. For many years, we have been coordinating efforts to keep our city clean and our community healthy. Mercury phase-out in hospitals and in LGU-supported health care projects will definitely contribute to the vision of thinking and living green in Pasig City ,” she adds.
Philippines is the 1st Southeast Asian country and the 1st developing country to have a policy on mercury phase-out in hospitals, putting it in the same rank as the US, European Union, Sweden, France, Denmark, Norway, and Argentina, to mention just a few, who are all moving towards a mercury-free health care.
The mercury-free temperature and blood pressure devices used in the Mercury-Free Health Care by 2010 were provided by Digitron International Sales Inc.