UPDATE

Toxics Link in partnership with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh organized a workshop on “Mercury Phase Out in Health Care Sector” on March 24th, 2011 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh which was supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The event was attended by a remarkable gathering from various departments. The participants of the workshop include the representatives of Pollution Control Boards, Uttar Pradesh Health System Project, Doctors, Health Care Professionals, Educational and Research Institutes and Civil Societies. The overall objective of the workshop was to sensitize the issue of mercury in health care sector in the region by providing a platform to all the stakeholders for a healthy discussion, knowledge and experiences sharing. The workshop led the major emphasis on the following key areas:

 

1. Mercury Toxicity in health care sector
2. Occupational health hazard of Mercury
3. Role and responsibilities of important stakeholders
4. Mercury phase out plan and challenges
5. Mercury policy and global initiative

 

The daylong session was in two technical sessions. The first technical session was on the theme of “Mercury Issues and Policies” which was chaired by Prof. Ashok K. Agarwal (SOHS, IGNOU) and Mr. Satish Sinha (Associate Director, Toxics Link). There were three speakers in the session, namely, Dr. Ragini Kumari (Senior Programme Officer, Toxics Link), Prof. Peter Orris (Expert GEF –UNDP), Dr. Anil Kumar (CMO, NFSG, Directorate General of Health). The second technical session was on the theme of “Managing Mercury Waste in Healthcare” which was chaired by Dr. M. Subha Rao, Prof. J. V. Singh. There were four speakers in the session Dr. Yogesh Saxena (Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology, HIHT, Dehradun), Prof. Peter Orris (Expert, UNDP), Mr. J. Chandra Babu (Scientist C – HWM CPCB, Delhi) and Dr. V. P. Sharma (Scientist F, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow).

During the workshop it was emphasized that its clear that mercury is toxic which tends to be harmful. It’s a fact that lack of data, lack of information in this field is there. More research and findings is needed. The workshop winded with a great interest and enthusiasm not only in the participants but also with the panelists. More than 80 participants were actively involved during the workshop.