Despite its name, the hospital, where he should be healthy, not add to the disease. But there are still many hospitals that actually become disease. Not from disease sufferers, but from the chosen equipment. Bali, since mid-June, the hospital pioneered in mercury-free territory.
Mercury is a toxic substance commonly used in some equipment, such as in a fever thermometer, blood pressure measuring devices, and patches dental amalgam. Though mercury evaporates at room temperature, and mercury vapor in the air live for 6 months to 1.5 years.
Continuous exposure of mercury vapor can affect the respiratory system, eyesight, disrupt the nervous system and motor, lower memory, and makes people more sensitive and temperamental. "It also affects fetal growth and children," said Professor Peter Orris of the University of Illinois in the workshop on "Promoting the Health Sector Mercury-Free", 4-5 July in Denpasar.
Professor and Associate Director of the Great Lakes Center for Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health that confirms the importance of knowing and understanding the dangers of mercury in the working environment for professional and clinical staff. It prevents the exposure of children and workers in the health sector.
Efforts wary of mercury in hospitals has been the subject of campaign nonprofit Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia in the past five years. According to Faye Ferrer, the implementing agency program Mercury program, the implementation of the Hospital in Bali free of mercury contamination would be an example to be replicated in other cities. It's also to show that Indonesia has begun to take concrete steps in the reduction and elimination of mercury-containing equipment in the health sector.
no need to wait for enactment of an international convention which will regulate the removal of products containing mercury. Substitute equipment safer and environmentally friendly is available on the market. Even the suppliers of medical equipment states are willing and able to provide a substitute non-mercury equipment.
So what else? What should wait for the victim due to mercury contamination? Well, what is needed is political will of the actors in the sectors related to health problems and the commitment of the managers and health practitioners.
