June 30, 2019 — The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, in partnership with Healthcare Without Harm Asia, conducted a media launch and public forum entitled “From the Wards to the Seas: A Closer Look into Medical Waste Management, Policy-making, and the Critical Role of the Health Sector in Changing the Tide on Plastic Pollution” on June 4, 2019.
The activity aimed to contribute to the mitigation of plastic pollution and emphasize the crucial role of the healthcare community in protecting the health of the people and the environment. It brought together health professionals, government agencies, and media to heighten public awareness on the adverse health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution and unsustainable waste management practices in hospitals.
The media launch highlighted the importance of the toolkit in the management of plastic wastes in healthcare facilities and how it has benefited Mary Johnston Hospital. The reaction from the representative of the Philippine General Hospital put emphasis on the opportunities for PGH, particularly the Pharmacy Department, to contribute to the minimization of plastic wastes in the facility. The activity culminated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UP Manila-CPH and HCWH Southeast Asia to strengthen their partnership to ensure the sustainability of activities on plastic waste management and other initiatives to combat the effects of climate change.
The public forum focused on the sharing of experiences among the government sector, academe, and non-government organizations in plastic waste management. The speakers shared relevant inputs, such as educating health professionals to serve as agents
of change, banning the use of single use plastics, conduct of waste audits in healthcare facilities, and implementation of national level policies for solid waste management at the community level.
The organizers urged all attendees to work together to bring about change in the country’s current situation and to address the growing problem related to plastic pollution.
