At a bustling outpatient clinic on the outskirts of Kampala, a nurse reaches for a thermometer—slim, silvery, and fragile. It’s a mercury-containing machine, as soon as a staple in healthcare, now acknowledged as a silent hazard. Uganda is taking daring steps to get rid of such dangers and transition towards mercury-free healthcare.
In healthcare settings, mercury-containing units—particularly thermometers and blood stress measuring units (sphygmomanometers)—have lengthy been used to diagnose sickness and monitor therapy. However mercury, a potent neurotoxin, stays a contributing issue to Uganda’s burden of illness. Its poisonous results on the nervous, immune, and digestive techniques—in addition to the lungs, kidneys, and pores and skin—have prompted world motion.
In keeping with Dr. Herbert Nabaasa, Commissioner of Environmental Well being on the Ministry of Well being, “selling using secure and mercury-free options, coupled with applicable disposal of mercury-containing units, gives a sustainable resolution to this public well being risk.”
Uganda, in response to its Nationwide Minamata Preliminary Evaluation Report, between 2013 and 2015 imported a mean of 25,642 such units yearly, together with an estimated 2,564 manometer blood stress units. As of 2018, mercury air pollution from healthcare sources in Uganda totaled 442 kg per 12 months (205 kg from manometers and gauges, 70 kg from incinerated medical waste, 146 kg from dental amalgam, and 21 kg from thermometers).
The 2013 Minamata Conference on Mercury, to which Uganda is a celebration, and entered into drive on 16 August 2017, requires the phase-out of mercury-containing medical units and the adoption of safer options. “Research have proven that digital thermometers may be as much as one-third cheaper than their mercury counterparts when contemplating the total lifecycle, with out compromising medical accuracy,” says Dr. Suraj Man Shrestha, WHO Programme Administration Officer.
A survey carried out by Nationwide Setting Administration Authority (NEMA) in 2021 in 38 amenities throughout Uganda urged that solely 25.7% of those amenities discarded mercury containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers to approved waste administration operators for disposal.
Uganda is one in every of 5 nations globally implementing the five-year World Setting Facility (GEF) undertaking geared toward phasing out mercury supported by United Nations Setting Programme (UNEP) with technical steering from World Well being Group (WHO). Ministry of Well being, Ministry of Water and Setting, alongside NEMA, are the main authorities entities for the undertaking.
The initiative helps growth of nationwide methods to part out the manufacture, import, and export of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers, according to WHO suggestions and the Minamata Conference on Mercury, adopted in 2013.
Underneath the undertaking, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (RRH) in southwestern Uganda and St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya in Kampala are to learn from the substitution of mercury medical units with mercury-free ones.
A list carried out at Mbarara RRH reported having one mercury thermometer and one sphygmomanometer nonetheless in use. “We welcome the undertaking and can assist it absolutely. Most of our items are already utilizing mercury-free important indicators displays,” explains Dr Deus Twesigye, Appearing Director of Mbarara RRH.
At St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya, the power reported having six mercury thermometers and fifty mercury sphygmomanometers nonetheless in use. “We look ahead to equally dependable substitutes,” says Sr. Dr Assumpta Nabawanuka the hospital director for medical companies.
The 2 well being amenities nonetheless want assist in disposal of medical waste the place mercury containing waste isn’t sorted from the remainder of the medical waste.
A delegation from WHO, the Ministry of Well being, and NEMA additional visited Luwero Industries Restricted (LIL) in Nakasongola district. The delegation assessed the power’s potential to function a secure, environmentally sound interim storage web site for mercury-containing medical waste. LIL owns and operates two trendy incinerators, an engineered landfill and earth transferring tools to deal with and handle hazardous and non-hazardous waste, together with medical and pharmaceutical waste.
“I affirm that we have now the capability to retailer mercury units and handle associated waste in an environmentally pleasant manner provided that we have now achieved it earlier than,” says Engineer Gerald Lumu Deputy Basic supervisor Luwero Industries Restricted.
To assist the transition, NEMA has up to date the Nationwide Setting Act (Cap 181) and associated rules to ban the use and recycling of non-electronic mercury measuring units after the 2020 phase-out date. These updates additionally deal with the administration of mercury-contaminated websites and waste.
“As soon as Luwero Industries Restricted will get the required license from NEMA to retailer mercury and contemplate secondary containment for the mercury units, it is a perfect facility for the interim storage for these mercury containing units,” says Anne Nakafero, the Principal biodiversity officer at NEMA.
Uganda’s dedication to mercury-free healthcare is greater than a coverage shift—it’s a daring declaration of its dedication to safeguarding public well being and the surroundings. By aligning with world conventions, investing in safer applied sciences, and empowering establishments like Luwero Industries Restricted to handle hazardous waste responsibly, the nation is setting a strong precedent for the Africa Area. This transformation isn’t just about changing units; it’s about reimagining healthcare techniques that prioritize security, sustainability, and innovation. With continued collaboration amongst authorities companies, healthcare suppliers, and worldwide companions, Uganda isn’t solely defending its individuals right now but in addition laying the muse for a more healthy, toxin-free tomorrow.