It’s no secret that the world as we know it is changing at an accelerated rate. With it comes the ever-growing need to introduce sustainable alternatives for industries of all types, especially the healthcare industries. The waste accumulated from these industries alone is ginormous.
What we need now is rigorous planning to prevent further harm to our precious planet. The first thing one must do in hospitals and healthcare centers is to study the existing systems installed. If they need any changes, then any replacements made should be energy-efficient with an optimal energy-star rating. For this, the healthcare industry requires an ample amount of financial backup. Governments all across the globe must step up and aid healthcare workers by providing timely management and funding their projects for a better tomorrow.
This also means focusing on how we procure these supplies and whether or not the suppliers focus on producing eco-friendly/sustainable alternatives. The immense unemployment gap compared to the growing life expectancies of people and unchanged retirement ages mean that a large number of the population cannot even afford basic healthcare.
Research shows that meeting the healthcare industry’s needs via taxation will improve many aspects like the economy, the quality of the services, and equality amongst people needing medical
attention. We have discussed before how installing better infrastructure, reducing overall waste, recycling, and using biodegradable products and equipment will help the healthcare industry. However, we must not restrict ourselves to these options only.
A very promising aspect is encouraging preventative healthcare. What this means is that instead of using the hospital as your last resort for a medical emergency, try to live a healthy and happy lifestyle so you won’t need it in the first place. This can only be achieved by creating awareness amongst the masses about things like better diets, opting for ample physical exercise, and taking special care of yourself and your loved ones.
By doing this, we can relieve the pressure on healthcare systems and therefore move towards economic and social sustainability as well as environmental feasibility.
It does sound like we have a long way to go but with combined efforts, we can get there!
References:
https://www.ama.com.au/position-statement/environmental-sustainability-health-care-2019
