UK Takes Action on Sweatshop-Made Surgical Equipment

On the Wire: A new campaign has been launched to put pressure on the UK National Health Service (NHS) to examine where its medical instruments come from, reports BBC News.

The British Medical Association (BMA) says at least one fifth of surgical instruments are made in northern Pakistan, where child labour is common. The BMA wants more Fairtrade and ethically sourced kit to be used and is hoping NHS staff will support the campaign: Fair Medical Trade.

The aim is to push for a change in buying habits to ensure fairer pay and better working conditions for producers in developing countries. The campaign says many surgical instruments are made in Pakistan where workers work in dangerous sweatshop conditions with some being as young as seven.

The campaign follows a BMA survey of 383 doctors, which suggested that although eight in 10 doctors are supportive of the NHS purchasing ethically sourced goods, only one in 10 is aware of the issue with equipment.

The BMA has launched a new website to provide information on the ethical procurement of medical supplies and how doctors can get involved: www.fairmedtrade.org.uk

According to the BBC, a Department of Health spokesperson said, “We welcome the BMA’s initiative to raise awareness of ethical trade issues across the medical profession.

“We are working hard with procurers to make sure they seek assurance and evidence that international labour standards are being maintained.”

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk

Tags: Fair Medical Trade