Success was the outcome of Dr. Mahmood Khwaja of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)’s campaign for mercury-free dentistry in Pakistan.

The Directorate General Health Services for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) in Pakistan issued an advisory note, entitled, “Advisory Note to Avoid/Restrict Mercury Dental Amalgam Fillings for Children (below the age of 15 years) in KPK, to safeguard their health at their very early age” (notification No. 2405-70 dated 10 July 2018).  

It was addressed to all district Health Officers in KPK, all medical superintendent of healths in KPK, all hospital Director MTI KPK, and the Dean of Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar, advising them that:

“…. all Health workers in the dentistry unit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (Pakistan) are requested to restrict and do not prefer mercury dental fillings for children below the age of 15 years in KPK to safeguard their health at their very early age, in the country with immediate effect.”

Signed Director General, Health Services, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, this advisory note was followed by further action in other provinces.  The Health Department (Planning Cell) of the Government of Baluchistan issued vide # PC(H)/SPH/ngo/2018/6200-03 dated July 11, 2018, under Subject: “Ban or Restrict & Discourage Mercury Amalgam Use to safeguard children’s Health in Pakistan,” advising Sandeman (Provincial)  Hospital, Quetta, Baluchistan:

“…. to restrict  the use of dental mercury amalgam in children under 12 years of age to safeguard their health due to its hazardous effect.”