Workshop explores ways to empower pvt med facilities with climate-resilient healthcare

Bengaluru: A workshop titled "Advancing Climate-Resilient Healthcare: Pathways for Private Healthcare Facilities" was held in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Organised by the Sustainable Action for Climate and Health Initiative (SACH), the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission, and the Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer for Her (ARTIST for Her), the event brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to address the intersection of climate change, healthcare, and equity.

With Bengaluru experiencing erratic rainfall and extreme weather events due to climate change, the workshop underscored the pivotal role of private healthcare facilities in mitigating health impacts such as rising cases of respiratory disorders, vector-borne diseases, and heat-related illnesses.

The sessions focused on exploring the unique challenges faced by private healthcare facilities, besides promoting sustainability, health equity, and introducing the "Menu of Interventions" tool to enhance climate resilience, reduce environmental impacts, and improve patient care.

It also discussed strengthening collaboration by encouraging public-private partnerships to create a unified approach to climate-resilient healthcare.

In her keynote address, Dr Hema Divakar, CEO of ARTIST for Her, highlighted the urgent need for sustainability driven healthcare systems. "Climate-resilient practices not only improve patient outcomes, but also significantly reduce environmental harm," she stated.

Dr Reuben Swamickan, Deputy Director of USAID Mission, offered a global perspective on how private healthcare can address climate risks and foster resilience. 

Mohammad Shariff, a senior official from the State Health Department, detailed government initiatives under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health to support climate-resilient healthcare.

The event also marked the launch of the One-Stop Shop SACH Climate and Health Resource Platform, a web-based resource hub designed to facilitate climate-focused healthcare initiatives.