With environmental concerns escalating globally, the healthcare sector has recognised the urgency to reduce its carbon footprint. The impact of healthcare operations on the environment is significant, from energy consumption and waste generation to the procurement of resources. Hospitals, as large consumers of energy and resources, are now actively pursuing eco-friendly initiatives to mitigate their environmental impact.
If health facilities help give much-needed care to humans but end up not taking care of the immediate environment where these humans live, how much impact are they really making in ensuring great health outcomes in the world?
Hospitals can help protect and take care of the earth just as much as they take care of humans by reducing carbon footprint, using less energy, like turning off lights when they're not needed or using energy-efficient machines so as to create less pollution. It is about small changes that have a big impact. It is about saying no to single-use plastics, switching to energy-efficient appliances, and choosing sustainable transportation options. It is about planting trees, conserving water, and raising awareness in our communities. These are not grand gestures; they are the foundations of a greener future.
Related: Advancing sustainability in healthcare | COP28 Report
The World Bank reports that Qatar has the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, at 35.6 metric tonnes per person. Additionally, the average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is 16 tonnes, one of the highest rates in the world.
In a worrisome discovery, according to estimates of the carbon footprint in general practices, pharmaceutical prescribing accounts for between 65 per cent and 90 per cent of the total. These perturbing findings cannot but help drive actions to reduce carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices.
What are innovative solutions to be adopted for a greener tomorrow?
Sustainable pharmaceutical procurement: Proper disposal of unused medications and adopting sustainable pharmaceutical procurement practices minimise the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals. Environmental impacts in the pharmaceutical supply chain can be reduced by integrating environmental considerations in the procurement of pharmaceuticals, and by favouring suppliers and products that perform better in regard to environmental aspects in procurement decisions.
Reduce paper usage: Digitisation, electronic medical records, and online communication platforms can significantly reduce paper consumption, conserving trees and decreasing waste generation.
Promote telemedicine: Encouraging telemedicine and remote consultations minimises patient travel, thus reducing emissions while ensuring quality healthcare delivery.
Encourage sustainable transportation: Staff, patients, and visitors can contribute by opting for sustainable transport options like carpooling, cycling, or electric vehicles, thereby reducing transportation-related emissions.
Related: COP28: Climate change's critical impact on global healthcare preparedness
Enhance energy efficiency: Hospitals can cut down on energy use by upgrading equipment and HVAC systems, as well as implementing energy-saving technologies. Identifying and addressing inefficiencies and adopting energy management systems can further lower carbon emissions.
Embrace renewable energy: Installing solar panels and wind turbines provides a sustainable energy source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Waste management: Simple waste management practices, such as recycling, composting, and the safe disposal of hazardous materials, are reducing the industry's waste footprint. Waste-to-energy initiatives use waste to generate sustainable energy and should be adopted.
The path to healthcare sustainability is a collaborative one, requiring active participation from healthcare providers, administrators, suppliers, and policymakers. Embracing green innovations, investing in sustainable technologies, and promoting an environmental culture are all important steps toward this goal.
Sustainability is more than a trend in the healthcare industry; it is a vital commitment to the well-being of our planet and future generations. As hospitals and healthcare institutions lead the way, they are not only restoring human health but also nursing the Earth back to health, one eco-friendly initiative at a time.
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