Supporting green health services to reduce environmental impact in the health sector

Abstract

This research aims to study the concept of green healthcare and its role in mitigating negative environmental impacts in the healthcare sector. Green healthcare is considered a contemporary strategic approach that seeks to integrate healthcare systems with the principles of environmental sustainability. The research relies on an extensive literature review of previous scientific studies and an analysis of key concepts regarding the healthcare sector's impact on the environment and the sustainable methods that can be implemented to mitigate these impacts. The healthcare sector is one of the largest producers of hazardous and contaminated medical waste, which negatively affects public health. Furthermore, it consumes significant amounts of energy and water and contributes to environmental degradation through carbon emissions and the consumption of natural resources. The research concludes that green healthcare contributes to reducing operational costs and improving environmental performance. It also enhances the quality of healthcare and facilitates the transition to green hospitals, thereby reducing the environmental footprint, improving community health, and achieving health, economic, and environmental benefits. The research also highlighted the main obstacles to its implementation. Finally, the researchers proposed a set of recommendations to support the green transformation within healthcare systems, including: adopting green healthcare strategies, improving resource efficiency, and supporting the quality of healthcare services to achieve a balance between health and environmental goals.