PATH OF GREEN HOSPITALS

Project number:

LTPL00265

Project status:

Ongoing

Call:

2

Priority:

1. Promoting environmental wellbeing

Specific objective:

1.1. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Date:

From: 2024.12.01 Til: 2025.11.30

Project summary:

In general public perception, healthcare is a clean industry that does not generate significant pollution or leaves a noticeable carbon footprint. In fact, the healthcare sector releases 4.4 % of global greenhouse gases each year as much as is emitted annually by 514 power plants coal-fired power stations. (HCWH/ARUP, 2019). Health sector directly and indirectly releases greenhouse gases while delivering care and procuring products and services from carbon-based supply chain. Project partners – Suwałki, Grajewo, Marijampolė and Alytus Hospitals – identified the following joint challenges: • lack of proper level of knowledge of staff in the subject of significant negative impact of the activities of healthcare institutions on the environment and, at the same time, of measurable effects of actions neutralising this impact for the health of the population, attractiveness of the region and the medical institutions themselves; • lack of involvement of staff of medical units in determination of actual state and identification of optimal pro-environmental solutions possible in the given unit – close cooperation with specialists in auditing and planning of pro-environmental undertakings; • lack of sufficient activity on the part of the entities to reduce the negative impact on the environment (presentation of path to follow is needed). The project aims on stimulation of CB cooperation of healthcare units to reduce negative impact of their activities on natural environment, especially by reducing direct and indirect pollution of PL-LT border region. The main specific objectives are: • increasing the awareness, involvement of Hospital’s staff in development optimal solutions to be implemented, • developing of model path of activities for the whole health sector in the region to activation in the scope of minimalizing impact of it for the environment. The main project activities/outputs of the project are: • 1 training for the staff of Partner hospitals on negative impact of the activities of healthcare sector on the environment and measurable effects of actions neutralising this impact, • 2 on-line workshops to examine together technical, organisational and economic problems in the field of impact for environment (1st) and to present and discuss the resulting ecological efficiency diagnosis reports (2nd), • 4 ecological efficiency diagnosis reports – per 1 for each Partner, • 1 green guidelines, constituting a model path for taking pro-environmental activities in healthcare sector. The target group are: • partner institutions that will experience a direct positive change intended by the project in the form of being fully prepared to take pro-environmental measures to reduce the negative environmental impact of their activities • inhabitants of PL-LT border regions, who will have a chance to live in regions where the medical units (project partners and, in the longer term, other health care units) are properly prepared and undertake investment measures to reduce the negative impact on environment and will be less exposed to the deterioration of their health as a result of living in regions where negative impact of the health sector on the environment will be significantly reduced. Air and water pollution do not respect political boundaries. LT-PL borderland is characterized by a uniform landscape and lacks natural barriers to pollution. The drainage basins of the rivers Šešupė and Czarna Hańcza are tributaries of the Nemunas river. On the other hand, any action to reduce pollution will have an impact on both sides of the border, therefore also potentially reducing the incidence of environment-related health conditions on both sides of the border. Healthcare units of LT-PL border area have not made a joint effort to positively influence the area’s environment. Activities to date have been dispersed and individual and their scope has been driven by continuously identified need and financing opportunities. The ad hoc nature of measures taken and the lack of exchange of experience limited their effectiveness and was fraught with the risk of suboptimal solutions. Collaboration facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices in sustainable healthcare. Hospitals will learn from each other’s successes and challenges in implementing green initiatives, will also identify the widest possible range of potential actions. All those actions will lead to effective guidelines being developed across the border being the model path of activities of healthcare units in reducing the negative impact of their activities on the environment and thus on the health and quality of life of the PL-LT region's inhabitants. The most original and transferable part of the project is the model guide (Green Hospital Path) to be a tool of replication by other healthcare entities in the PL-LT border region.

Lead Partner:

Dr Ludwik Rydygier Voivodeship Hospital in Suwałki

Lead Partner region:

Suwalski subregion

Project Partner(s):

Public Institution Alytus S. Kudirka District Hospital; Dr Witold Ginel Hospital in Grajewo; Public Institution Mariampolė Hospital

Total project budget:

159.635,70

ERDF:

127.708,56

Ar projektas prisideda prie ES BJRS įgyvendinimo:

Yes