Bharatpur Metropolis has been working actively to encourage health care facilities and professionals in the city to phase out mercury-containing devices and the use of the toxic material in a bid to become the country’s first mercury-free medical city.

A total of 15 health facilities, including hospitals, private dental clinics, dental departments, committed in writing on Monday to provide mercury-free services in order to help the city achieve the feat. The Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Private Hospital Coordination Committee, District Public Health Office, a group of dedicated health care facilities, health care professionals in Bharatpur, Chitwan have been working for cause.

Puspanjali Hospital Pvt Ltd, Sapta Gandaki Hospital Pvt Ltd, Sunrise Dental Clinics, Smile Dental Health Care Center, Shree Dental Clinics, Padma Dental Clinics, and Dental Department of Bharatpur Hospital, Manakamna Hospital, Live Care and Trauma Center, National Hospital are among the city’s health care facilities which have declared to be providing mercury-free services.

Hailing the initiative of the health care facilities at the programme organised in the Capital on Monday, health experts said would help the city become the country’s first mercury-free medical city. “This has indeed set a precedent for other health care facilities, dental colleges, and health professionals to follow the mercury-free practices. If Bharatpur manages to completely eliminate the use of mercury, it will inspire other cities in its wake,” said Ram Charitra Sah, executive director and environment scientist at the Center for Public Health and Environmental Development .

Mercury, its compounds and equipment based on the toxic metal are widely used in various products and processes like sculpture making, lighting, health, cosmetic products and health sector. The use of mercury in the health sector, especially in dental filling, is relatively high around the world.

The Mercury-free initiatives, studies suggest, will help in protecting public health, vulnerable population like children and pregnant mother from hazard of mercury, which has adverse impacts on human health like memory loss, anxiety, hormonal disorder and mood swings.