HCWH Global Newsletter
   Global Newsletter Issue No. 22 | February 2013
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Health Care Without Harm Global Projects


World's Governments Agree to Mercury-Free Healthcare in 2020

Going mercury-free just became both more urgent and easier to do. On January 19 in Geneva, as part of the final text of a global mercury treaty, the world's governments agreed to end the manufacture, import and export of all mercury-based medical devices – effectively phasing them out by 2020. They also called for a phasing–down of dental amalgam – a major source of mercury in the global environment.   Read full press release | Read HCWH Views on the Global Mercury Treaty | Watch HCWH International Team Coordinator, Josh Karliner, report from INC5

China, Sri Lanka and Mongolia | Latest Initiatives on Mercury–Free Healthcare

Many countries from Asia are developing projects and policies to eliminate mercury–based medical devices. Supported by HCWH and other organizations, Qinhuangdao Cerebrovascular Disease Hospital in China is conducting mercury–containing medical devices substitution. At the same time, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health issued a circular instructing the gradual removal of all mercury–containing equipment from use in the healthcare sector. In Mongolia 14 hospitals were announced mercury-free and received a Certificate from Mongolia's Vice Minister of Health.

Australia | Health Groups Call for Urgent Action to Address Health Risks From Coal

A new collaborative network of national health organizations – led by HCWH partner organization the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) - agreed to raise awareness of the adverse health effects of Australia's current minerals and energy policy, particularly those relating to coal and coal seam gas. The network also plans a campaign featuring health professionals calling for an urgent transition to safe, clean, renewable energy that does not contribute to global warming or harm human health and wellbeing. more

Brazil and Mexico | Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Build Momentum

GGHH is receiving growing attention in different Latin American countries. In Brazil major television, newspapers and magazine outlets are highlighting the amazing work being done by GGHH Founding Members in promoting sustainable practices. At the same time, GGHH Founding Member, the National Institute of Pediatrics and the Mexican Network of Pediatric Hospitals organized the first GGHH Meeting in the country. Representatives from more than 12 national hospitals along with the Mexico City Ministry of Health participated in this event.

HCWH Europe Welcomes Resolution on the Protection of Public Health From Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

HCWH Europe welcomed the European Parliament's resolution on the protection of public health from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) adopted by the Committee for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee). HCWH Europe will continue pressuring the European Union for the adoption of a strong EDCs Strategy that incorporates the precautionary principle and sets clear and measurable targets and deadlines to monitor and evaluate progress on EDCs exposure. more

US | FoodMed Joins CleanMed

Since 2006 HCWH's Healthy Food in Health Care Program has held a bi-annual conference, FoodMed, to bring together leaders in sustainable health care food service. In 2013, the FoodMed Conference will join forces with CleanMed, in Boston, Massachusetts, April 24-26 and will offer a comprehensive Healthy Food in Health Care track which will include workshops, tours and sessions devoted to innovative strategies and best practices for building a healthy and sustainable hospital food service. more

We Are Hiring: Global Community Manager Needed for GGHH Connect

GGHH, Cisco Systems and the Skoll Foundation are working in partnership to develop GGHH Connect, a Cisco powered internet platform that combines social networking, content creation, and integrated real-time communications to enable GGHH members around the world to connect, share, and work together to achieve their sustainability goals.  To make the best out of this project, HCWH is now looking for a dynamic, internet-savvy international health and environment organizer to help lead the development of GGHH and implement the network's engagement and participation strategy via GGHH Connect.  more
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