Overview

Effective environmental stewardship demands passionate and committed leadership to minimise the environmental impact of daily decisions. Recognising the shared responsibility of reducing the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint, hospitals play a vital role. To address this, M.P. Shah Hospital has developed the Green365 Strategy, aimed at reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainability.

Background

The environment is a vital component of human life and must be protected through the deliberate adoption of sustainable practices.

With climate change threatening to disrupt health systems in unprecedented ways, healthcare facilities must play a key role in reducing their carbon footprint, building resilience against extreme weather events, adapting to shifting disease burdens, educating both staff and the public, and promoting policies to safeguard public health. Strong leadership is essential for embedding sustainability approaches into business strategies and operations.

M.P. Shah Hospital is committed to improving its environmental performance and demonstrating leadership in sustainability. The Green365 Strategy integrates environmental sustainability into the hospital’s patient-centred approach, aiming to remain ‘green’ throughout the year.

M.P. Shah Hospital’s Board has approved and implemented the Green365 Strategy, making it a core part of the hospital’s Sustainable Growth pillar. This is one of five strategic pillars that outline initiatives for the next five years.

The sustainable growth pillar encompasses actions across five key areas: water, food, transport, green infrastructure, and leadership. These initiatives aim to reduce the hospital’s environmental impact and integrate sustainability into daily operations.

Water

Efforts in water management include harvesting greywater for garden irrigation, installing sensor taps in public restrooms, dual-flush toilets, and reverse osmosis drinking water dispensers. These initiatives aim to conserve resources, reduce plastic waste, and minimise bottled water usage.

Food

The hospital has introduced systems to measure and manage food waste, reducing overall wastage.

Transport

To lower emissions, the hospital encourages carpooling among staff for inter-clinic visits and outreach programmes, as well as for daily commutes.

Green Infrastructure

The hospital has undertaken green landscaping, starting with tree planting and promoting biophilic designs that incorporate natural elements into the built environment to enhance patient outcomes.

Key infrastructure improvements include the installation of negative and positive pressure rooms for patient isolation and sterilisation areas, HVAC systems for optimal temperature and humidity control, and mechanical ventilation in critical areas. Additionally, the hospital complies with statutory regulations established by Kenya’s National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).

Further measures include converting wooden cabinetry to stainless steel, installing vacuum plants for waste management, and utilising extractor fans, air curtains, and regular painting for air quality maintenance.

Top Leadership

The hospital has adopted a green policy and conducted an environmental impact assessment. Green champions and committees have been established to foster sustainability across the organisation.

Orientation and induction programmes now encourage green behaviour among staff, supported by a Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equity Policy to ensure equitable sustainability efforts.

M.P. Shah Hospital is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and has incorporated Green365 into its 2021–2025 strategy under the operational excellence pillar, with green key performance indicators (KPIs) integrated into the Balanced Scorecard.

The leadership team reflects the hospital’s commitment to inclusivity, with women in senior management roles, and policies ensuring a respectful and safe workplace.

Challenges

Implementing sustainable healthcare systems in developing nations is challenging but vital for reducing carbon footprints at national and global levels. Key barriers include:

1. Limited information, as sustainability in healthcare is an emerging field.
2. High costs of green interventions necessitating innovation.
3. Budgetary constraints hindering the transition to green infrastructure.
4. Change management challenges in fostering green behaviours among staff and patients.
5. Inflationary pressures increasing utility and supply costs, eroding the financial benefits of sustainability efforts.

Vision and Expected Impact

This project aims to mitigate economic, social, and environmental impacts while building resilience against future stressors, such as pandemics. It will foster resource optimisation, enhance green practices, and strengthen collaborations with stakeholders.

Integrating sustainability into operational strategies will enable the hospital to comply with evolving regulations, mitigating reputational and legal risks.

Measurable Impacts

1. Green Supply Chain: Zero stock-outs of critical medicines.
2. Green HR: Improved staff engagement through green human resource practices, including wellness programmes like Zumba sessions, prayer meetings, and birthday celebrations.
3. Green Leadership: Enhanced workforce engagement via surveys, peer mentorship, and performance management tied to sustainability behaviour.
4. Energy Conservation: Reduced reliance on grid electricity through increased solar energy use.
5. Water Conservation: Reduced water consumption through greywater recycling and reverse osmosis plants, eliminating bottled water purchases.
6. Green Buildings: Improved air quality, lighting, and temperature regulation in line with sustainable design principles.

By prioritising these initiatives, M.P. Shah Hospital reaffirms its leadership in sustainable healthcare.