MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health said yesterday four of 20 state-run hospitals in the country continue to use mercury-containing medical devices despite an order for its gradual phase-out in the country.
“The National Children’s Hospital, Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute” are still using these devices as of Feb. 24, Cabral said in a statement.
Cabral said the National Children’s Hospital is still using mercurial sphygmomanometers, while the Philippine Heart Center has fully phased out mercurial thermometers but still has functioning mercurial blood pressure devices.
The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, on the other hand, is still using 11 mercurial sphygmomanometers to back up hemodialysis units. The Amang Rodriguez Medical Center still has nine mercurial blood pressure devices, Cabral said.
Cabral, however, clarified that that these hospitals are just waiting for the delivery of digital sphygmomanometers.
The DOH issued Administrative Order 2008-0021 that mandated the gradual phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions.
Cabral said the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that mercury exposure can damage the nervous, digestive, respiratory, endocrine and immune systems and can also cause impaired vision and hearing, paralysis, insomnia, emotional instability, developmental effects on a fetus, and attention deficit and developmental delays during childhood. – Helen Flores, Philippine Star
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
