International environmental group Health Care without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH SEA) conducted the first “Do No Harm Award,” a drive which aims a gradual phase out of all mercury containing devices in all Philippine health institutions and facilities. 

“We want Philippine hospitals to lead the way towards an environmentally sound health care across Asia,” says Faye Ferrer, HCWHSEA program officer for mercury.  HCWH is a part of an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries working for an environmentally responsible health care worldwide.

“In realizing these goals HCWH has to work with various local and international agencies. In managing mercury and mercury contaminated wastes in the country, HCWH has to work hand in hand with the Department of Health (DOH) and Phil Health,” explains Ferrer.  She adds, “The ‘Do No Harm Award’ is also a compliance to the DOH Administrative Order 21 which aims a gradual mercury phase out on the country’ health institutions by the year 2010.”

In addition, international agencies like World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) supports such compliance and puts emphasis in phasing out mercury containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers.

Ferrer further shares. “Out of more than 2,000 hospitals in the country, only 16 hospitals, 15 from Luzon and one from Mindanao) shows willingness against mercury phase out--Florencio V. Bernabe Sr. Memorial Hospital, General Santos Doctors’ Hospital, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Makati Medical Center, Manila Adventist Medical Center, Medical Center Paranaque, Inc., Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Juan De Dios Educational Foundation Inc., San Lazaro Hospital, St. Louis University Hospital of the Sacred Heart, St. Martin De Porres Charity Hospital, St. Paul Hospital Cavite , and St. Paul Hospital Tuguegarao.

“The award seeks to recognize outstanding hospitals, health care workers and institutions so that others will be inspired by their stories,” tells Ferrer.  He additionally stressed, “The examples set by the 16 hospitals are not only as example of best practices in the country but also on hospitals across Southeast Asia,”  she ends.

For further information, visit www.noharm.org.ph.

(Write the author at wellbeing@mb.com.ph.)