Marrakech, Morroco – On November 14, Health Care Without Harm and Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) member, the Mohammed VI University Hospital hosted the Climate and Health Care Conference in parallel to COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco. The event, the first of its kind to be held in the country, brought together health sector leaders from around Morocco, Europe, and beyond to share strategies for the health sector to mitigate its own climate impacts, develop low carbon models of care, and use their voice, both individually and collectively, to advocate for policies to address climate change and public health.
With the focus of COP22 on the actions necessary to achieve the goals set out in the Paris agreement, the conference focused on the role that the health sector can play in this global effort. From carbon mitigation strategies being implemented by CHU Niort (France), to approaches to reduce the carbon footprint of health care procurement from Region Skåne (Sweden) and the Sustainable Development Unit (UK), to regional climate resiliency planning measures undertaken by Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (France), GGHH/2020 Challenge organizations were showcased throughout the day. Health Care Without Harm recognized their achievements and leadership on low carbon health care with 2016 Climate Champion Awards.
The event also provided a forum to feature the innovative work taking place around Morocco by individual hospitals as well as the Ministry of Health to ensure that low carbon development is a key focus for health care in the country. New facilities being built in the cities of Casablanca, Agadir, Tangiers, and Rabat have been designed to be highly energy efficient and with a minimal environmental footprint. Additionally, existing facilities are planning renovations to improve their operations and mitigate their climate impacts.
Mr. Rachid Wahabi from the Ministry of Health of Morocco called on all hospitals in Morocco to look for opportunities to provide high quality care while being environmentally and climate friendly and committed the Ministry to support them in this transition. The route to achieving this goal, he stated, is for the dissemination of experiences, best practices, and success among hospitals as was taking place at the conference.
Article by Nick Thorp
To see the image gallery of the event, click here.
About GGHH
The Global Green and Healthy Hospitals community has 727 members in 40 countries on 6 continents who represent the interests of over 20,800 hospitals and health centers. Our members are using innovation, ingenuity, and investment to transform the health sector and foster a healthy future for people and the planet.
GGHH is a project of Health Care Without Harm
About the 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge
The 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge is a GGHH initiative to mobilize health care institutions around the globe to protect public health from climate change. The Challenge and pledge are based on three main pillars:
- Mitigation – Reducing health care’s own carbon footprint and/or fostering low carbon health care.
- Resilience – Preparing for the impacts of extreme weather and the shifting burden of disease.
- Leadership – Educating staff and the public while promoting policies to protect public health from climate change.
To learn how to endorse the pledge and participate in the Challenge, click here.