Environmentally Sustainable Hospitals Practices: A Step Towards a Healthier Planet

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Kingsley Philip Uko, a member of the University of Uyo Medical Student Association (UUMSA. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Planet earth has been battling to survive in the last few decays amidst Environmental Crisis vis; Global warming, Climate change, Ozone layer depletion and others.

Factories, Motorist, and even Individuals have been called out, but how about the sector were lives are saved; without a sustainable environment there will be no saving lives, because there is no life without an environment.

Hospitals and Health care facilities each day contributes a quota to environmental depletion each day but how?

Most Hospital Materials/Practises end point in the release of green house gases which in turn deplete the ozone layer and the environment at large.

Medical Supplies/Instruments: This includes single use and Plastic-based materials; Syringes and needles, IV bags and tubing(Made of PVC), Gloves (made of nitrile/latex) .

Medical Equipment: X-ray machines (Use ionizing radiation; older models may use toxic chemicals for film development) Battery-Powered medical devices like the Blood glucose monitors (Batteries contains hazardous chemicals like lead and lithium.

Waste Management Practices: Improper disposion of waste products; Overuse of non-recyclable materials like paper towels and tissues.

Cleaning and Sanitation: Disinfectants and sanitizers may contain harsh chemicals harmful to the environment.

Power Supplies: Use of heavy duty generators which are Petrol or diseal Powered; Most times this machines are used 24/7.

Hospitals wouldn’t be using this equipments/practices if they are not necessary for it day to day functions. so the question is this, what are the alternatives?

Medical Supplies/Instruments: The use of recyclable or bio-based plastics where possible, PVC alternatives (polyolefins), Use of biodegradable gloves and reduction in overuse.

Medical Equipments: X-ray film machines could be replaced with digital radiography.

Waste Management Practices: Wastes should be disposed properly, Installation of hand dryers will reduce the use of paper towels and tissues.

Cleaning and Sanitation: Disinfectant used should be green-certified, 

Power Supplies: Solar energy should be used to limit the number of Petrol/diesel power generators, and LED lighting and energy efficient Air conditioning system should be used.

Too good to be true? before you go on celebrating there’s and old adage that says Nothing good comes easy. So the next question should be what are the challenges and how do we overcome them.

Two of the major challenges to the implementaion of these invaluable discoveries are Money and Ignorance;

We can work together with Hospital mangements and the mass media to alleviate Enviromental depliction ignorance by creating awareness, such as in campaigns, Talk shows, webinars, social media reactions or even write-ups like this could be published in newspapers, magazines, medical jornals etc.

Developing Hospitals can parter with Government bodies, NGOs, and Individuals to raise finacial capacity to effect these changes; These hospitals can also start small with high impact, low-cost changes, focusing on waste reduction and energy efficiency first.

We should be willing to put our axes together and make what ever sacrifice to ensure our survival and that of the coming generations.

The healthier the planet, the healthier its habitants.

Stay Informed.Stay healthy.

About the author

Kingsley Philip Uko is a member of the University of Uyo Medical Student Association (UUMSA), He is a Prolific writer and Author, he’s works spans across; Educational articles, Health awareness write-ups, Novels, Fantasy and Motivational books.

Kingsley Philip Uko is currently a member of NiMSA-AHRP’s Publicity team and serves as the Director of Media for UUT (UUMSA Ushering Team).