CSOs write key Federal Officials, insist on policy action to phase-out dental amalgam before 2030
Following campaigns for Mercury-free Dentistry in Nigeria, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have written letters to key four Federal Officials, calling for the adoption of a phase-out date for dental amalgam in the country.
The CSOs under the auspices of the World Alliance for Mercury-free Dentistry, the global umbrella body agitating for the phase-out of dental amalgam, wrote and submitted the letters on Tuesday June 2.
The letters were written and submitted via email to management of the key four Federal Authorities as follows: the Executive Director, Sustainable Environment Development Initiative, Dr Tom Aneni, wrote to the Minister of Environment Alh. Balarabe Lawal.
Dr Leslie Adogame, Sustainable Research and Action for Environment, wrote to the Director General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.
Prof. Godwin Arotiba, Dentists for a Mercury-Free Africa, wrote to the Chief Dental Officer, Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, while the Executive Director, Heroine Women Foundation, Joy Mamah, wrote to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
The letters were simultaneously sent to the federal officials demanding deliberate policy action toward the complete phase-out of Mercury-based dentistry across the country by 2030 because of the associated environmental and health implications.
Speaking, Dr Gilbert Kuepouo, Founder, African Center for Environmental Health, Yaoundé, reiterated the importance of the letters, saying that they required unwavering attention.
Kuepouo said, “Nigeria, as the leading African country voicing the regional stance on key issues shaping the environment World order, has the opportunity to lead this great continent to mercury-free dentistry.
“Via letters with strong talking points, these four outstanding Nigerian CSOs leaders call for action by the Minister of Environment, by the Director General of NAFDAC, by the federal Chief Dental Officer, and by the Minister of Women’s Affairs.”
Shedding more light, the World Alliance President, Barr. Charlie Brown emphasised the reason for the phase-out agitations and demands.
Brown stated that dental amalgam fillings were 50% mercury, a major neurotoxin that could damage children brain and nervous systems, cause environmental hazards and health risks for pregnant and lactating women.
He stressed that dental amalgam continuous use was no more justified because safer, viable, and cost-effective alternatives were readily available in Nigeria.
According to him, the restriction of its use is demanded worldwide in the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted by more than 140 governments including Nigeria, in Kumamoto Japan.
“Amalgam is 50% mercury; it is an environmental menace, a major risk to the health of children and young women, a toxic workplace for dental staff, and a colonial era material no longer used by modern dentists.
“Trade in amalgam, including manufacturer, export, and import, is banned via international law (the Minamata Convention on Mercury) as of 2034: African nations and peoples are resolute to ban it sooner during the 2020s,” Brown said.
The World Alliance President suggested organising a stakeholders meeting by the four key federal officials for extensive deliberation on the issue of dental amalgam, and subsequently fix a date for the phase-out in Nigeria.
He further emphasised the need for direction on the national action plan to end the use of mercury based dental fillings (amalgam) in children under age 15, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
According to him, the year 2030 is a critical milestone for global sustainable development.
“To protect our environment, our children, and our healthcare workforce, it is imperative that we transition swiftly to modern, safe, and effective mercury-free alternative restorative materials.
“Our target is for every country to phase out Mercury-based dentistry by 2030,” he said.
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