Push to eliminate mercury-based devices in health care

India steps up efforts to replace equipment and strengthen mercury-waste management to protect human and environmental health

India is accelerating efforts to eliminate mercury-containing medical thermometers and blood pressure monitors from health-care services by 2030. Building on nearly two decades of policy action, the next phase will prioritize device replacement, safe mercury waste management, and access to reliable alternatives across health facilities.

A technical mission comprising Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), World Health Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, Global Environment Facility, Minamata Secretariat, Global Mercury Partnership, state officers and technical partners met in New Delhi from 28–30 September 2026 to review progress and contribute to building capacity.

Thirty state-nominated nodal officers received online training on the national strategy, covering occupational safety and mercury waste management systems for segregation, safe collection, temporary storage, safe transport and safe disposal to be established by late 2027 through health–environment department collaboration.

India has developed a national strategy and established multi-sectoral coordination to meet its goal. Fourteen states have completed inventories and assessments of these mercury-based devices and 12 states have issued phase-out orders. Delhi, Punjab, Manipur, Sikkim, Goa, Haryana, Ladakh, Chandigarh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have eliminated the use of mercury-based medical devices in public health services.

WHO and UNEP teams at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi (© WHO India / Ankur Khare)

“This progress goes beyond replacing mercury-containing devices—it includes responsible management of existing mercury waste and protect our environment and future generations,” said Dr Geetha Anandan, Additional Director General of Health Services, MoHFW.

Mr Amit Raj, Director, MoEFCC, said, “India remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Minamata Convention and to ensuring that the transition away from mercury-based medical measuring devices is safe, systematic and sustainable.”

The expert group visited Safdarjung Hospital, one of India's largest tertiary hospitals that went mercury-free in 2007, to witness on-ground implementation and operational policy for procuring alternative equipment, management of legacy devices, and approaches to storage, disposal and waste management. The expert group also visited industrial units in North-West Delhi to review gaps in production quality, supply and related issues.

As India advances its transition towards mercury-free health care, sustained collaboration across government, health facilities, industry and development partners will be key to achieving mercury-free health care in India.