“The Eco-Cure: Healing Patients Without Hurting the Planet”

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Palak Agarwal, a 21 year old medical student at GMERS Medical College, India. She 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.

As climate change accelerates and environmental degradation intensifies, industries across the globe are rethinking their operations and healthcare must not be an exception. Hospitals, though vital for human well-being, are among the most resource intensive institutions. From energy consumption and medical waste to water usage and chemical emissions, their environmental footprint is vast. The urgent need to align healthcare systems with sustainability goals has never been more critical.

Greener hospitals represent a forward thinking solution, facilities that not only provide care but also operate in harmony with the environment. Sustainable healthcare institutions reduce environmental harm while enhancing patient health, operational efficiency, and community well-being, ensuring that our pursuit of health does not come at the cost of our environment.

Ironically, the healthcare sector contributes to environmental issues that directly impact public health. Hospital emissions are linked to respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular conditions, while improper waste disposal contaminates ecosystems. A sustainable hospital addresses these challenges by adopting eco-conscious designs, renewable energy, and efficient waste management. In doing so, it remains true to its mission, protecting and promoting human health.

“Healthy hospitals will deliver healthy patients, only if they operate in a healthy environment.”

Sustainability in healthcare isn’t just an environmental concern, it’s a medical necessity. Clean air, safe water, and a stable climate are foundational to health. Hospitals that implement green practices help prevent disease, reduce infection rates, and offer safer, more healing environments.

Around the world, hospitals are embracing such innovations. Green building certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)  guide sustainable construction and renovation. Solar panels, geothermal systems, and energy efficient lighting are becoming the norm. Waste reduction strategies, such as reprocessing single use devices and adopting digital records cut environmental and financial costs.

Leading the way, Health Care Without Harm supports hospitals in over 70 countries in adopting sustainable practices. Meanwhile, the UK’s National Health Service has pledged to become the world’s first net-zero health system, setting a bold example.

Some hospitals, like those in Sweden and the Netherlands, source organic, locally grown food for patients, reducing emissions while promoting nutrition. In India, solar powered rural clinics deliver energy efficient care to underserved regions. These efforts prove that sustainability can align with accessibility and equity.

We treat patients with utmost care, but are we caring enough for the planet that sustains us?

Sustainable healthcare requires more than new infrastructure, it calls for a cultural shift. Medical professionals must be educated in environmental responsibility, and green habits should be part of daily routines. Patients also play a role. Awareness campaigns and community action can help foster a sustainable future, ensuring that our pursuit of health does not come at the cost of our environment.

We use today’s resources to heal today’s wounds, but what are we leaving behind for tomorrow’s healers?

Greener hospitals are not just innovations, they are moral commitments. Let every hospital become a place where healing begins with both the body and the world around us.

About the author

Palak Agarwal is a 21 year old medical student at GMERS Medical College, India, driven by a profound passion for medicine and a lifelong dream of becoming a surgeon. She envisions authoring a book that captures the essence of her medical journey and the lives she touches. Deeply moved by the sanctity of life, Palak is equally devoted to environmental sustainability, believing that true healing extends beyond individuals to the planet we share. She aspires to integrate eco-conscious practices into healthcare and inspire others to embrace sustainable living. In moments of quiet reflection, she finds solace in literature and painting.