Page 24 - CIJ March 2024 - Digital Edition

C o ver S t or y
Cover Story

Facing “Green”

challenges in

Healthcare

Neeta Rajwar, VP & Facility Director,
Marengo Asia Hospital Gurugram, talks

at length about the need to adopt green
products, especially within a healthcare set up.

How do you ensure that in healthcare settings. This What are the main barriers
the green products you may involve conducting in- a hospital encounters when
house testing, collaborating
use meet the standards of with research institutions or striving to invest in greener
performance and reliability independent laboratories, alternatives or implement
required in healthcare and seeking validation from sustainable initiatives?
settings? regulatory agencies if required.
• Hospitals may conduct clinical • One of the main barriers to
We need to follow these steps: trials or pilot programs to investing in greener alternatives
• Before implementing any green evaluate the performance of or sustainable initiatives is the
higher upfront capital costs
product, hospitals conduct green products in real-world
thorough research to assess healthcare settings. associated with purchasing
its performance, reliability, eco-friendly equipment,
and suitability for healthcare How can hospitals meet technologies, and infrastructure
environments. the specific regulatory or upgrades. Hospitals may face
• It is essential to verify that compliance hurdles? budget constraints that limit
green products meet relevant By proactively addressing their ability to make significant
industry standards and regulatory and compliance investments in sustainability
certifications, such as those hurdles, leveraging available projects.
related to safety, quality, and resources & expertise, and • Hospitals may be hesitant to
environmental sustainability. engaging stakeholders in the invest in green initiatives due to
• Vendors and suppliers are adoption of eco-friendly products uncertainty about the return on
evaluated to ensure they have a & sustainable practices, hospitals investment and the time it takes
track record of providing high- can overcome challenges and to recoup initial costs. Without
quality, reliable products. advance their sustainability goals clear evidence of financial
• Green products undergo testing while improving patient care and benefits, decision-makers may
and validation to confirm their reducing their environmental prioritize other capital projects
performance and reliability footprint with more immediate returns.

MARCH 2024•Clean India Journal
24 www.cleanindiajournal.com