Search Results

Air pollution is the largest contributor to the burden of disease from the environment and is one of…

Health Care Without Harm and its Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network in Southeast Asia…

This article highlights the pressing concern of plastic waste pollution within healthcare facilities…

Health professionals in Indonesia have come together to address the urgent need for action on…

Health Care Without Harm-Asia continues to work with the press to educate the public on the need for greener health care. For resources on our work, click on the following links: For more information on the organization or to set-up an interview, contact us.Recent NewslettersHealth Care Without Harm-Asia June-July 2015August-September 2015October-December 2015January-February 2016April-May 201620th Anniversary NewsletterOctober-November 2016January-February 2017

The OrganizationVision-Mission-Goals The OrganizationHealth Care Without Harm-Asia is part of a strong global network of hundreds of member parties.  Our organization is at the center of transforming the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care.Health Care Without Harm was founded in 1996 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified medical waste incineration as the leading source of dioxins, one of the most potent carcinogens. In response to this grave threat, 28 organizations came together in Bolinas, California to form the Health Care Without Harm coalition.We’ve grown into a broad-based network with representatives from various fronts. Our coalition is comprised of hospitals and health care systems; medical professionals; community groups; health-affected constituencies; labor unions; environmental and environmental health organizations; and religious groups. HCWH-Asia took root in 2003, committing to improve health care systems in the region. The group’s first project...

Meet the dynamic HCWH Southeast Asia team! Our group is an assembly of passionate professionals, equipped with a diverse set of skills and experiences, all united by a shared commitment to fulfilling HCWH's goal. We work together to transform the healthcare sector worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability, and leads the global movement for environmental health and justice. RAMON SAN PASCUAL, MPH, Executive DirectorA population, health, and environment policy advocate, Ramon brings with him years of experience working in civil society organizations (CSO) engaged in social development work, and has dedicated many years on policy development, advocacy and working with policy-makers and stakeholders on population, health, environment and sustainable development issues.Having worked with an extensive network of parliamentarians, health professionals, community and civil society leaders, he...

Don’t let the future go to waste. Email us to join the chorus of voices calling for change.

Less Waste, More GainsTips for Minimizing Waste Less Waste, More Gains We empower hospitals to reduce the amount, toxicity, and impact of waste they produce. Our efforts include promoting proper waste management such as minimization, segregation, and proper treatment.  Tips for Minimizing Waste Reduce, reuse and recycle!As much as 80% of the waste produced by health care facilities isn’t outright hazardous. As long as the waste isn’t mixed with dangerous or contaminated waste, much of it can be reused. And recycling plastics, papers, and bottles can even produce income.  You need to smoothen the process by implementing a rigorous segregation program. Sorting health care waste after it’s been mixed is extremely hazardous.HCWH-Asia has been collaborating with hospitals within Asia, and found it was possible to reuse or recycle items such as old office supplies and...

Alternative Technologies Scale of the ProblemThe Global Environmental Facility (GEF)  Alternative Technologies At the heart of it, our message is simple: Burning is not an option when it comes to disposing waste, especially medical waste. There are healthier, less-polluting methods out there, and HCWH-Asia is dedicated to promoting these alternatives. To this end, we’ve published reports on different non-burn technologies and manufacturers that are available to the international market. In the Philippines, HCWH-Asia spearheaded a campaign for the cancellation of a defunct Austrian medical waste incinerators project and an alternative budget initiative for alternative technologies. In 2004, our group documented a nationwide vaccination program that showed some remarkable results: The disposal of immunization waste is possible without incineration.Scale of the Problem Waste is unavoidable. We need to provide options on how to...

I. Philippines Measles Eradication Campaign (PMEC)II. Fast FactsIII. VideosIV. Reports I…

Model HospitalsPhilippine hospitals declare: “Incineration harms, burn not!”Burn Not launched in 2011 was a campaign that gathered celebrities, prominent personalities, and concerned hospitals against the proposed amendments to the Philippine Clean Air Act.  In 2004, the complete banning of medical waste incineration was mandated by the Clean Air Act. The proposed amendments to the legislation would pave the way for the return of medical incineration.Amidst this public outcry, HCWH-Asia released a three-part public service announcement detailing the hazards of incineration. Burn Not cautioned the national government to stop the polluting process and also encouraged local government to shun waste-to-energy or “incinerators-in-disguise” contracts recently signed by different LGUs, particularly in the southern parts of the Philippines.The public announcement featured 20 personalities from the realms of entertainment, politics, and civil society organizations. Hospital also unfurled a black banner expressing their strongest opposition to the planned return of...