Pesticide use, Health and Environment – Uganda 2010-13
GPA Objective (e.g. GPA5) and GPA Action (e.g Action 28)
GPA Objective 5: to incorporate workers’ health into non-health policies and projects
Priority Number (e.g. 5.3) and Area (if applicable) e.g Agriculture
Priority number 5.3: Implement toolkits for the assessment and management of OSH hazards in high risk industry sectors and for vulnerable worker groups.
Area: Agriculture
This project also contributes to other GPA Priorities (List them, if applicable).
GPA 2, priority 2.3
Responsible CC or NGO Name
Clinic of Occupational and Environmental Health, Odense University Hospital
Collaboration is taking place with Danish NGO Dialogos, Danish Society of Occupational Medicine, University of Southern Denmark and Copenhagen
Project leader(s)
(contact name and email address)
MD, MIH Erik Jørs
erik.joers@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
Coordination with
MD, PhD Claudio Colosio
claudio.colosio@unimi.it
Dpt. of Occupational Health University of Milan
International Centre for Rural Health
Italy
WHO Regions involved in this project (contact name and email)
Africa, orientation given by mail to Mr T A Pule pulet@afro.who.int who has expressed interest to colaborate
Country ministries involved in this project (contact name and email)
Collaboration with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture in Uganda
External partners for this project (contact name, organization and email)
MD Deogratias Sekimpi
UNACOH (Uganda National Association of Community and Occupational Health
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
General Objective: to reduce negative health effects of pesticide use in humans and prevent pesticide pollution of the environment.
Specific objectives:
1. Prevention, registration, diagnosis and treatment of pesticide poisonings improved in the health clinics in 2 districts.
2. The number of cases of pesticide poisoning is lowered by promoting IPM strategies among farmers from 20 villages in 2 districts.
3. The civil society, especially the National Farmers Federation and organized farmers groups, are aware of pesticide dangers and able to advocate for concrete actions in the ‘district pesticide committees’ and the National Agricultural Chemicals Board to ensure sustainable food production
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries:
Objective 1: 40 health workers trained in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pesticide poisonings. Expected female-male ratio is 2-1.
Objective 2: 40 farmers and 20 agricultural extension workers and pesticide dealers from each of the two districts will be trained in IPM strategies. Expected female-male ratio is 1-2.
Objective 3: 20 local key stakeholders (farmers union, farmers groups, NAADS, pesticide dealers, health authorities and district administration) trained to form district pesticide committees. 8 students at Makerere University participating in research. Expected female-male ratio is 1-1.
Indirect beneficiaries: larger populations will benefit from information through the trained resource persons and the materials and strategies for training elaborated in the project will be of potential use in other health districts in Uganda, and through the WHO, ICOH and university platforms of Global Health at a global level.
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
By 31/12-2012:
1. A baseline study of the number of intoxications and their causes among small scale farmers in the districts of Wakiso and Pallisa do exist.
2. A validated material in English for teaching of health cares workers in Uganda in ‘diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pesticide intoxications’ do exist.
3. A validated material in English for teaching of farmers in Uganda in IPM methods and prevention of pesticide intoxications’ do exist.
Dissemination plan
Uploading of materials/kit on pesticide control on web-sides for free access
Dissemination for student educations on Global Health Platform coordinated by the University of Copenhagen.
Dissemination of findings and experiences gained on conferences and in scientific journals
Funding source(s)
Funded by Project Counselling Service/Danida, Denmark
List of outcomes already achieved by this project
The project period is from 1/6 2010 – 31/5-2013, so no outcomes yet registered
List of additional outcomes expected from this project by 2012
List of additional outcomes expected by 2016
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
(to be assigned by WHO)
5.27g
PROJECT Title
Pesticide, Health and Environment – Plagbol III - 2010-13 - Bolivia
GPA Objective (e.g. GPA5) and GPA Action (e.g Action 28)
GPA Objective 5: to incorporate workers’ health into non-health policies and proejcts
Priority Number (e.g. 5.3) and Area (if applicable) e.g Agriculture
Priority number 5.3: Implement toolkits for the assessment and management of OSH hazards in high risk industry sectors and for vulnerable worker groups.
Area: Agriculture
This project also contributes to other GPA Priorities (List them, if applicable).
GPA 2, priority 2.3
Responsible CC or NGO Name
Clinic of Occupational and Environmental Health, Odense University Hospital
Collaboration is taking place with NGO Dialogos, Danish society of Occupational Medicine, University of Southern Denmark and Copenhagen
Project leader(s)
(contact name and email address)
MD, MIH Erik Jørs
erik.joers@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
Coordination with
MD, PhD Claudio Colosio
claudio.colosio@unimi.it
Dpt. of Occupational Health University of Milan
International Centre for Rural Health
Italy
WHO Regions involved in this project (contact name and email)
Latin-america, letter of coordination signed with Dr. Christian Darras, WHO Bolivia
Country ministries involved in this project (contact name and email)
Collaboration with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture in Bolivia
External partners for this project (contact name, organization and email)
MD Guido Condarco
Fundación Plagbol
Bolivia
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
Development objective: The civil society in Bolivia and internationally is through advocacy towards politicians and decision makers working to prevent damage to health and environment caused by the irrational use of pesticides.
Specific Objectives: 1. The Farmers Union (CSUTSB) and the National Movement for the Bolivian peoples and Nations’ Health (MNSPNB) promotes through advocacy a sustainable agricultural production preventing health and environmental damage.
2. The PLAGBOL Foundation is a national reference institution in the field of ‘pesticides, health and environment’ giving technical support to organizations of the civil society, public and private institutions.
3. The PLAGBOL project’s evidence based strategy and materials are promoted at international level through universities and WHO thus forming a base for global advocacy.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Target Group: Direct: a) The CSUTCB (National Farmers organization) and MNSPNB (National Movement for Peoples Health). Training of their personnel, an estimated total of 40 formed leaders, 35% women, mostly from indigenous groups. b) 40 farmers formed in Integrated Pest Management (IPM promoters) and 1000 farmers informed by their promoters, mostly from indigenous groups, 25% women. c) 40 persons from the health services belonging to two target municipalities, 75% women. d) SENASAG (operative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture) through training of its personnel and improvement of their educative programs for small-scale farmers; 20 persons, 25% women. e) PLAGBOL Foundation will be strengthened to guarantee its sustainability through income generating activities undertaken by its 5 employees. f) National and International Universities, and OPS/OMS through dissemination of educative and informative material that may be used in educational events and other activities to prevent pesticide intoxication. The target group numbers thousands of students and farmers; 50% women, 30% children. Indirect: The population of the Municipalities, Bolivia and eventually at a global level through information and prevention of intoxications, pollution of the environment and the contamination of food products with pesticides.
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
By the end of 2012:
1.A Municipal model exists that is applicable to other Municipalities in the country to prevent negative effects of pesticides, including training and information of farmers, health care workers and the population in general in Integrated Pest Management, prevention of intoxications and environmental pollution.
2.SENASAG’s (Ministry of Agriculture) farmer education program ‘Good Agricultural Practices’ has been strengthened with IPM promotion, immersed within the national policies for agricultural pesticides regulation.
3. Strategies, education materials and informative documents elaborated by the project are available in virtual libraries of National and International Universities, and at the OPS/WHO, for training of students, professionals and farmers at a global level thus creating a base for global advocacy.
Dissemination plan
Uploading of materials/kit on pesticide control on web-sides for free access
Dissemination for student educations on Global Health Platform coordinated by the University of Copenhagen.
Dissemination of findings and experiences gained on conferences and in scientific journals
In the first two phases of the project the following major outputs has been achieved:
1. Education of thousands of farmers, health care staff, students and children on ‘pesticides, health and environment’.
2. Enforcement of curriculums in different educational institutions on IPM and Pesticides, Health and Environment.
3. Production of educational and information material and strategies for use at national and international levels.
4. New knowledge created through investigations.
5. Networking has been undertaken with many professionals and organizations.
6. The PLAGBOL Foundation created to be able to work continuously with the problems of pesticides and toxic substances in the environment in Bolivia and Latin-America.
List of additional outcomes expected from this project by 2012
List of additional outcomes expected by 2016
Project is expected to stop august 2013
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
(to be assigned by WHO)
5.27h
New project
PROJECT Title
Sustainable Capacity building for African Pesticide Regulators to reduce occupational pesticide risks
GPA Objective (e.g. GPA5) and GPA Action (e.g Action 28)
GPA5
Priority Number (e.g. 5.3) and Area (if applicable) e.g Agriculture
5.3
This project also contributes to other GPA Priorities (List them, if applicable).
GPA3.2
Responsible CC or NGO Name
Health Risk Management Programme, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Research, University of Cape Town
Project leader(s)
(contact name and email address)
Hanna-Andrea Rother
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
WHO Regions involved in this project (contact name and email)
Country ministries involved in this project (contact name and email)
External partners for this project (contact name, organization and email)
FAO – Mark Davis
KemI – Ule Johannson
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
African Pesticide regulators lack the human and financial resources required to manage pesticide use, registration, disposal, etc. This project provides regulators with bi-monthly support on-line, sends regular information e-mails and is developing an e-course around the Code of Conduct.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
African Pesticide Regulators
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Dissemination plan
Funding source(s)
KemI
FAO
List of outcomes already achieved by this project
Developed e-forum network
Developing e-course materials around the Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides
List of additional outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Regulators who have graduated with a post graduate diploma or masters in pesticide risk management
List of additional outcomes expected by 2016
CONTRIBUTING PROJECT
Work plan project number (to be added by WHO)
5.27i
New Project
PROJECT Title
Creation of Exposure and Risk Profiles for risk assessment and management in Agriculture.
The University of Crete, Prof. Aristidis Tzatzakis: aris@med.uoc.gr
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
The project will provide public Health System and agricultural enterprises with a tool for Occupational Risk Assessment, facing up to the difficulties present in measuring exposure assessing occupational risks in agriculture. Chemical risk derived from pesticide use, physical risk from noise and vibration, and biological risk from animal breeding will be addressed. Exposure and Risk Profiles will be based on the combination between an Hazard Index and an Exposure Index, obtained through mathematical algorithms, starting from a deep analysis of the working conditions and modalities in typical occupational scenarios. Risk estimates created by the model will be validated with the assessment of their levels of concordance with measures obtained in the same scenarios evaluated.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Agricultural enterprises
Agricultural workers
Occupational Health Physician working in Agricultural settings
Events-opportunities for furthering the project
Local, national and international congresses and training courses.
Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)
List of Hazard and Exposure Indicators for the main work tasks in agriculture;
Instructions for the application of the Exposure and Risk Profiles;
Guideline for exposure and risk assessment in agriculture
Indicators of achievement (impact)
Adoption of exposure and risk profile in the Region of Lombardy, Italy.
Adoption of exposure and risk profile in other Italian Regions and in other Countries.
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
June 2010: exposure and risk profile for pesticide use in greenhouses, maze and rice crops ready and validated.
December 2011: availability of exposure and risk profiles for noise and vibrations.
ICOH 2012, Mexico City: presentation of the main results of the first years of use of profiles.
Public health impact
Dissemination of risk assessment and management in agriculture and Rural Areas.
Improvement of the conditions of rural workers
Reduction of the occupational diseases in the sectors.
Funding source(s)
Region of Lombardy.
Agricultural Enterprises
National and international public health funding and projects.
Dissemination
Dissemination of the results will be achieved through the organization of congresses and seminars at the local, national and international levels.
Publication of the project’s results in international scientific journals.
Developing diagnostic and exposure criteria for occupational diseases in agriculture and rural areas
GPA Objective and Action
Objective 5, Action 27
Priority Initiative
5.3-1 Agriculture
Responsible CC or NGO Name
ICRH, Milan, Italy.
Project leader
(contact name and email address)
Claudio Colosio
claudio.colosio@unimi.it
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
Coronel Institute, the Netherlands, Dr. Gert Van der Laan (g.vanderlaan@amc.uva.nl )
The Finnish Institute on Occuapational Health, Prof Kai Husman (kay.husman@ttl.fi ).
WHO link
Availability of diagnostic and exposure criteria for occupational diseases in agriculture.
Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)
ILO, Dr. Shengli Niu (niu@ilo.org ).
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
The project will start with the review of existing evidence (published literature). The second step will be the collection of good practices, the preparation of a list of disease with the related diagnostic criteria, which will be made available in form of sheets. The sheets will be evaluated, discussed, criticized and finalized through an international expert consultation, involving also the WHO-CC network. The diagnostic criteria will be tested in selected rural occupational settings, with the involvement in the activities of a group of general practitioners.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Public health system
Agricultural workers
Occupational Health Physician working in Agricultural settings
Events-opportunities for furthering the project
Local, national and international congresses and training courses.
Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)
Report on occupational diseases in agricultural settings. Basis for the creation of an epidemiologic observatory on occupational diseases in agriculture.
Indicators of achievement (impact)
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
December 2011: availability of the first epidemiological observations
ICOH 2012, Mexico City: presentation of the main results of the project.
Public health impact
Dissemination of risk assessment and management in agriculture and Rural Areas.
Improvement of the conditions of rural workers
Reduction of the occupational diseases in the sectors.
Funding source(s)
Public
Dissemination
Dissemination of the results will be achieved through the organization of congresses and seminars at the local, national and international levels, in collaboration the WHO CC network on Occupational Health, ILO , the Mediterranean and Balkan network on rural occupational health, the ICOH scientific committee on Rural Health, etc.
Publication of the project’s results in international scientific journals.
,
Please indicate whether this is a:
New Project
CONTRIBUTING PROJECT
Work plan project number (to be added by WHO)
5.27k
PROJECT Title
Providing Agricultural Workers with Primary Occupational Health Care
GPA Objective and Action
Objective 5, Action 27
Priority Initiative
5.3-1 Agriculture – contributes also to 3.1
Responsible CC or NGO Name
International Centre for Rural Health, Milan
Project leader
(contact name and email address)
Chiara Somaruga
chiara.somaruga@unimi.it
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health: Timo Partainen: timo_partanen@yahoo.com
Coronel Institute (The Netherlands), Dr. Ger van Der Laan: g.vanderlaan@amc.uva.nl
Erik Jors (Denmark): Erik.Joers@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
Andrea Rother (South Africa): andrea@cormack.uct.ac.za
WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)
NIVEL (The Netherlands), Dr. Robert Verjei: R.Verheij@nivel.nl
WONCA: Josè Manuel Lopez Abuin: l.abuin@medynet.com
EURIPA: John Wynn Jones: johnwj@rural-health.ac.uk
ILO: Dr. Shengli Niu: niu@ilo.org
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
This project is addressed at creating experiences of primary occupational health care delivery in agriculture. It will start in the Lombardy Region, where pilot experiences will be created based on the collaboration between public health care system and agricultural enterprises. Services locations will be chosen based on local needs; every service is supposed to provide: health surveillance; education and training activities, vaccinations; electrocardiography, respiratory and hearing function examination; biological specimen collection, as well as occupational hygiene instruments. This project anticipates also some experimental activities of collaboration between Occupational Health Physician and Rural GPs, based on information exchange with electronic file sharing.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Agricultural workers (including migrant, seasonal and self-employed workers); agricultural enterprises, public health system.
Events-opportunities for furthering the project
Local, national and international congresses already planned.
Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)
Publication of guidelines for health surveillance of agricultural workers; creation of a system for primary occupational health care delivery in agriculture. Dissemination of similar experiences in other Regions and Countries.
Indicators of achievement (impact)
Number of countries implementing programmes to provide health services to agricultural workers.
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
September 2010: end of the first phase. Definition of specific protocols per group of workers.
September 2011: publication of the first report on health conditions of agricultural workers in the Region.
2012: preparation of a guidance document to be discussed at the ICOH Congress of Mexico City.
Public health impact
Disadvantaged population subgroups will be provided with primary health care. This will improve rural workers’ health but also quality of agricultural products and environment.
WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)
WONCA: Josè Manuel Lopez Abuin: l.abuin@medynet.com
EURIPA: John Wynn Jones: johnwj@rural-health.ac.uk
IAMR: Ashok Patil: eaj840f@tninet.se
ILO: Shengli Niu: miu@ilo.org
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
This project is addressed at creating a Global Rural Health Network (GRHN), involving of all the actors, including stakeholders. The holistic approach needed to manage the complicated problems faced by agriculture and rural areas will be achieved through a two-way cross sectional approach: (1)among expertises, with the involvement of medical doctors, veterinary doctors, agronomic sciences experts, (2) among levels, from the territory to the Regional and National Structures and the Academy. Different professionals and Institutions will collaborate in a single network, addressed at The Global Healthy Village Campaign. Periodical discussions on critical issues will be organized (e.g. workshops, and round tables). The possibility of creating a specifically addressed website will be explored.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Agricultural workers
Agricultural enterprises
Public health system
Academy
Events-opportunities for furthering the project
IAAMRH Congress, Cartagena (Colombia) 2010.
Third International Congress of Mediterranean and Balkan Countries, Tirana, Albania (September 2010). ICOH Congress, Mexico City, 2012.
Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)
The GRHN will be active in all the corners of the world. Through the GRNH, the key words of the Global Healthy Village Campaign will be on the table of several national Governments.
Indicators of achievement (impact)
Number of countries involved in the network.
Number of organizations active in the network.
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Promotion of an agreement ICOH-IARM: done and in force..
June 2010: agreement ICOH-WONCA for the development of a Global Rural Health Network.
Public health impact
Local Government will be provided with examples, position documents and guidance addressed at supporting their local policies in agriculture,
Funding source(s)
Project supported by the different actors involved in the network. Selected private sponsors for the public events such as congresses and seminaries (e.g.: banks). Possible applications to specific calls of international institutions (world bank; EU public health programme, etc).
Dissemination
Dissemination to achieved in the following events: Cartagena (Colombia) 2010: the 17th International Congress on Rural Health.
Tirana, Albania (September 2010): the third International Congress of Mediterranean and Balkan Countries, ICOH Congress, Mexico City, 2012.
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
(to be assigned by WHO)
5.27n
PROJECT Title
Addressing Occupational Health Problems Among Nutmeg Factories Workers
GPA Objective (e.g. GPA5) and GPA Action (e.g Action 28)
GPA Objective 5: to incorporate workers’ health into other policies
Action 28: Aspects of workers’ health should be taken into account in primary, secondary and higher level education and vocational training.
Priority Number (e.g. 5.3) and Area (if applicable) e.g Agriculture
GPA Priority 5.3 Agriculture
GPA Priority 5.3: Implement toolkits for the assessment and management of OSH hazards in high risk industry sectors and for vulnerable worker groups
This project also contributes to other GPA Priorities (List them, if applicable).
Priority1.2: Develop and disseminate evidence-based prevention tools and raise awareness for the prevention of silica- and other dust-related diseases
Responsible CC or NGO Name
Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada
Project leader(s)
(contact name and email address)
Dr. M. Akpinar-Elci, makpinarelci@sgu.edu; Dr. Satesh Bidaisee, sbidaisee@sgu.edu; Dr. O. C. Elci, omurcinar@gmail.com
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
Dr. Gregory Day gdd2@cdc.gov, NIOSH
WHO Regions involved in this project (contact name and email)
Country ministries involved in this project (contact name and email)
External partners for this project (contact name, organization and email)
Ms. Joyce John, joyceajohn@hotmail.com
Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
The nutmeg industry is one of the most significant contributors toward the local economy in Grenada. Grenada was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. This devastation and the subsequent financial difficulties ensued has decreased the priority of this industry to the Grenadian economy. The nutmeg industry receives significantly decreased financial, workforce, and technology support. The plant uses an old and ineffective technology that limits the economic benefits and increases the occupational health risks for workers. Workers do not have any form occupational health and safety training. Health assessments conducted on the workers at the processing plant in May 2009 also revealed a common worker complaint of lower and upper respiratory problems, which characterizes dust and mold exposure.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
All nutmeg production workers in Grenada (mostly single mothers from the local rural community)
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Identifying occupational health and safety risk factors, May 2009
Receiving funding to improve working conditions, December 2009
Capacity building for occupational health and safety, July 2010
Dissemination plan
Ministry of Agriculture
Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association
Nutmeg workers
The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Funding source(s)
The Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Programme (“GEF/SGP”) on behalf of the three GEF Implementing Agencies –United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Bank.
List of outcomes already achieved by this project
Identifying occupational health and safety risk factors
Capacity building for nutmeg industry workers. Baseline exposure assessment has been already done in collaboration with CDC/NIOSH.
List of additional outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Implementing Renewable Energy in the Nutmeg Industry
Our objective is to successfully install a solar dryer to test the baseline measurements of its fit to nutmeg plant as well as baseline occupational health indicators of nutmeg workers by August 2011. The implementation of a solar drying process will create a more efficient approach to processing the nutmeg products, improve economic and environmental benefits of the community, and prevent adverse health effects to the workers. This will reduce dust, mold, and other particle exposures that will directly reduce respiratory health effects among workers. Follow up exposure assessment evaluation is planned for 2011.
List of additional outcomes expected by 2016
Re-vitalizing nutmeg industry in Grenada,
Re-plantation of nutmeg trees in the land degradation risk areas of Grenada.