In a significant move to address environmental concerns within the healthcare sector, BAN Toxics and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have introduced a new mascot named Nurse Susie. The launch took place during a Women's Month Program at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in Quezon City, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against plastic pollution in hospitals across the Philippines.
Advocating for Sustainable Healthcare Practices
Nurse Susie serves as the central figure for the Toxics-Free Hospitals Campaign, which is part of the Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCWM Project). This initiative is a collaborative effort involving UNIDO, the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR (DENR-EMB), and the civil society organization BAN Toxics. The campaign aims to raise awareness and promote proper healthcare waste management to reduce the release of toxic and hazardous chemicals, thereby making hospitals safer for healthcare professionals, waste workers, patients, and surrounding communities.
Why Nurse Susie?
Jam Lorenzo, HCWM Project Manager and BAN Toxics Deputy Executive Director, explained the choice of Nurse Susie as the campaign mascot. "Women represent more than 70% of the health profession worldwide and are often on the frontlines, facing risks from hazardous healthcare waste. Launching her during Women's Month recognizes the crucial role women play in protecting public health and the environment," Lorenzo stated. The program also featured a talk by clinical toxicologist Dr. TereAnthony Abella, who discussed the potential health impacts of hazardous chemicals from healthcare waste on women, aligning with the Women's Month theme.
The Nurse Susie Roadshow and 4Cs Slogan
The unveiling of Nurse Susie coincided with the kickoff of the Nurse Susie Roadshow, a series of visits to hospitals nationwide to bring her advocacy directly to healthcare workers and communities. Accompanied by her own theme song, Nurse Susie promotes a 4Cs slogan: Change old habits, Cut plastics, Commit to reuse, and Champion sustainability. According to Lorenzo, this slogan addresses key issues in healthcare waste management, including insufficient awareness of proper waste segregation, high plastic waste volumes, and limited access to sustainable treatment technologies.
Alarming Plastic Waste Findings
Recent waste audits conducted by the HCWM Project in partnership with Healthcare Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) revealed startling data. At three partner hospitals, plastics dominated waste composition, accounting for 77% at Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC), 78% at Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC), and 84% at QMMC. The bulk of this plastic waste comes from patient-care disposables, sanitary products, infectious materials like cotton and gauze, and medical textiles such as aprons, masks, and gloves. Non-medical items like foodware and bottles also contribute significantly, highlighting the role of hospital clients and visitors in the plastic waste burden.
Lorenzo emphasized the dangers of plastic waste, noting, "Plastic waste is a potential source of toxic chemicals in the environment, and when burned, can emit unintentional persistent organic pollutants (UPOPs) such as dioxins and furans." Reducing plastic use is seen as a key strategy to ease waste volume burdens and minimize chemical releases.
Practical Steps and Future Initiatives
During the launch event, Nurse Susie distributed reusable water containers to attendees, encouraging a shift away from single-use plastics. Information materials like flyers, posters, and hand fans were also provided to promote the Toxics-Free Hospitals Campaign. The waste audit recommendations suggest exploring alternative materials and reusable systems, such as reusable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), washable medical textiles, and durable patient linens, to reduce dependency on single-use plastics while maintaining infection control standards.
The Nurse Susie Roadshow continues with visits to EVMC on March 25 and CVMC in April, aiming to spread the message of sustainability and waste reduction across the Philippine healthcare landscape.
