OSLO, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe announced on Tuesday that Albania and Montenegro have finalized national inventories of mercury-containing medical devices, marking a significant step toward phasing out their use in the health-care sector.

According to the WHO, the inventories cover devices such as thermometers and sphygmomanometers used to measure blood pressure, including those currently in use, in storage, or already decommissioned.

The progress is part of a five-year Global Environment Facility (GEF) project implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by the WHO. The initiative supports the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury.

While harmless when intact, these devices can release mercury if broken, posing risks to health-care workers and patients, as well as broader health threats through environmental pollution, the WHO said. It noted that inhaled mercury can affect the nervous system, kidneys, and respiratory system.

In Albania, the project has enabled a targeted survey of about 7,000 health-care professionals to identify knowledge gaps and training needs. Pilot health-care facilities have also been selected to demonstrate the replacement of mercury-containing devices with safer alternatives.

Meanwhile, Montenegro has focused on capacity building, with representatives from pilot health centers taking part in training sessions on the safe handling, storage, and disposal of mercury equipment. Consultations have also begun with the municipality of Bar on temporary waste storage solutions.

Both Balkan countries, along with around 60 percent of nations in the WHO European Region, have ratified the Minamata Convention, committing to halting the import, export, and production of mercury-containing medical devices. ■