Watchdog group asks DOH to phase out mercury medical devices

MANILA, Oct. 4 (PNA) – A health watchdog group on Thursday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately phase-out mercury medical devices like thermometers in government hospitals and health centers.

The group Health Watch Coalition called for a mercury-free health system as mercury devices can cause adverse effects to a patient’s body system.

According to the group, there are still six government hospitals in the country who use old-fashioned thermometer and sphygmomanometer, a device used in measuring blood pressure.

Aside from hospitals, the group also said there are dental centers nationwide that use mercury amalgam.

The group is expecting the DOH will replace such mercury devices in all government hospitals and health centers with digital counterparts.

The DOH earlier issued administrative order (AO) No. 2008-0021 which calls for the gradual phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions.

The DOH said mercury is highly toxic, especially when metabolized into methyl mercury. It may be fatal of inhaled and harmful if absorbed through skin.

Mercury may cause harmful effects to the nervous, digestive, respiratory, immune systems and to the kidneys, besides causing lung damage.

Adverse health effects from mercury exposure may lead to tremors, impaired vision and hearing, paralysis, insomnia, emotional instability, developmental deficits during fetal development, attention deficit and developmental delays during childhood.

The DOH ordered all hospitals to immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers to patients and for hospitals to follow the guidelines from the AO for the gradual phase-out of mercury.

It also ordered all health care facilities to apply for a license to operate and submit all inventory of all mercury-containing devices that it will use. All health facilities were also directed to make a Mercury Minimization Program based on the guidelines of the AO.