Mumbai: Hospitals in Mumbai are quietly making a shift towards sustainability, adopting eco-friendly practices to save energy, reduce costs, and earn green certifications. These efforts range from using solar power to improving energy efficiency, recycling wastewater, and employing energy-saving technologies like sensor lights.
Key Initiatives and Impact
- Tata Memorial Centre’s ACTREC: On World Cancer Day (February 4), ACTREC in Kharghar announced its 3-phase plan to harness solar power, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and save over ₹1 crore annually when fully operational. This initiative is part of the Switch on Solar programme by the Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE), backed by BNP Paribas India. By the end of its first year, ACTREC plans to save ₹50 lakh.
- Private Hospital Initiatives: A private hospital in Mumbai’s western suburbs installed sensor lights in bathrooms, saving them ₹25 lakh in the last year. The hospital has further plans for more green investments.
- Fortis Hospitals: The three Fortis Hospitals in the city have departments dedicated to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns, focusing on energy optimization, water usage, and efficient biomedical waste management. They have already reduced per-bed energy consumption by 3.4% and water consumption by 8.4%.
Growth and Challenges
The push towards sustainability has been gradual over the last five years, with government medical colleges being required to adopt green technologies, while the private sector has made these efforts voluntarily. Hospitals are recognizing the long-term financial benefits of going green, with initial investments being recuperated within three to four years. For instance, central air-conditioning systems are being adopted over window or split ACs, improving indoor air quality and reducing pollutants.
Financial and Environmental Benefits
According to Dr. Vivek Desai, a healthcare consultant, private hospitals are increasingly investing in green technologies despite the high initial costs, as these can lead to substantial savings in the long run. Hospitals spend about 4% of their revenue on energy bills, and even a 1% saving can result in substantial financial benefits, especially for mid-sized hospitals. The green initiatives also enhance the hospital’s value and occupancy ratio, as noted in a 2020 study.
Conclusion
The green revolution in Mumbai’s healthcare sector is not just about saving the planet but also improving operational efficiency and saving significant costs. As hospitals adopt more eco-friendly technologies, the healthcare sector is moving towards a more sustainable and health-conscious future.
