Greening the healthcare sector: Issues and innovative solutions using a partnership approach

Transcription

1 Greening the healthcare sector: Issues and innovative solutions using a partnership approach Janet Robinson / Global Director, Laboratory Sciences FHI 360 Bangkok / Thailand jrobinson@fhi360.org

2 Health Sector Environmental Issues Twin crisis of environment and health Magnifies the destructive power of each Health sector contributing to environment and health issues Services deployed and resources consumed Waste generated Building construction and use Health and environment initiatives handled separately

3 Health Sector Environmental Issues One quarter of all health issues and disease attributable to environmental factors Healthcare is the second largest sector in terms of environmentally damaging emissions/pollutants Buildings and services intended to heal contribute to harm ( Hippocratic) oath through: Medical waste and chemicals High energy usage Limited re-use and recycling Non self-sustaining procurement systems Lack of green policies and practices Unintended contributor to trends that undermine public health

4 Green Partnership Approach Weave health into the environment agenda and vice-versa Understand how each influences the other Take a partnership approach where INGO s and local NGOs work collaboratively with MOH/MOE, health providers, private sector and others Adopt a green health and environment agenda Use the partnership model to leverage resources and foster change

5 Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network (GGHHN) Founded by Healthcare Without Harm 25 national health partners 22 I/NGOs Over 5000 healthcare provision settings Weaves health into the environment agenda and viceversa Takes a partnership approach where INGO s and local NGOs work collaboratively with MOH/MOE, health providers, private sector and others Adopts a 10 goals green health and environment agenda Empowers local leaders as agents of change Uses the partnership model to leverage resources and change

6 10 Goals of the GGHHN Leadership Chemicals Waste Energy Water Transportation Food Pharmaceuticals Buildings Procurement

7 GGHHN CASE STUDIES

8 Taiwan National Cheng Kung Hospital: Energy Savings and Carbon Reduction Partnership with the Ministry of Economics, Bureau of Energy, Energo (NGO) and ESCO (local energy company) Sensor controlled lighting and use of energy efficient T5 light bulbs Savings of $130,000/year CO 2 emissions reduced by 1362 tons (52%) Adopted heat pump/hot water system to replace gas boiler Savings of $160,000/year CO 2 emissions reduced by 1229 tons (65%) Renovated air conditioning system Savings of $350,000/year CO 2 emissions reduced by 2228 tons (75%)

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10 Bart's and the London NHS Trust: Saving Water Partnership of Bart's, AquaFund (local NGO and equity scheme) Previously spending 20% of budget on water Site audits and water saving advice from NGO experts Introduction of water saving technologies and education Since introduction the changes have reduced water bills by 30% and saved 100 million liters of water 10% of the savings go to WaterAid, a charity that provides fresh water to developing countries

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12 Inova Fairfax Hospital, USA: Red Bag Program Partnership of the hospital and the local state environment department Regulated medical waste cost of disposal is 5-10 higher than non-hazardous solid waste disposal Training in recognizing and segregating harmful waste from regular waste also waste minimization Required communication, process improvement, monitoring and communication Saved over $200,000 in the first year

13 Take Home Messages If we don t green the health sector it will continue to contribute to environmental harm also harming human health Greening the health sector is not difficult or particularly expensive In just a short time (1-2 years) any investment in greening actually covers the ROI and more, as well as reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions significantly