The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Geneva Sustainability Centre join forces to achieve the Emirate’s healthcare sustainability goals

20 Jan, 2023:

Building on its ongoing efforts to improve the healthcare ecosystem from all aspects, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC), an organisation powered by the International Hospital Federation (IHF) that is focused on assisting hospitals and healthcare services to address sustainability challenges by equipping healthcare leaders with the knowledge, skills and tools to deliver a net positive impact. The agreement will see that GSC delivers a sustainability masterclass, while giving access to the sustainability accelerator tool, and coaching and consulting support for the healthcare workforce in Abu Dhabi.

This signing further reinforces DoH’s continuous efforts in advancing the efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare ecosystem in the Emirate, as it will enable the healthcare ecosystem across Abu Dhabi in achieving its sustainability targets by building sustainable and climate resilience and establishing capabilities amongst stakeholders and leaders. 

This comes after the recent announcement by DoH, during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, in which the Department has revealed the Emirate’s sustainability goals for the healthcare ecosystem.

In presence of H.E Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH, the MoU was signed by H.E. Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi, Executive Director Healthcare Facilities at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and Sonia Roschnik, Executive Director, Geneva Sustainability Centre. 

Her Excellency Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi, Executive Director of Healthcare Facilities Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “We at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi look forward to our collaboration with the Geneva Sustainability Centre, as it aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare ecosystem in the Emirate, contributing to the enhancement and development of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem. Under the directives of our wise leadership, we work on partnering with global experts to provide the highest levels of care to the members of our community, thus cementing the Emirate’s position as a global hub for healthcare and life sciences.”

Al Zaabi added: “This comes after the DoH’s recent announcement of the healthcare ecosystem’s sustainability goals, which will ensure that we provide sustainable and innovative healthcare services for members of our community today, and for generations to come.”

Sonia Roschnik, Executive Director, Geneva Sustainability Centre stated: “When the IHF established the Geneva Sustainability Centre, it was with a clear mission to drive net zero, climate resilient and sustainable healthcare, in support of IHF member organisations. We commend the leadership demonstrated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and are delighted to support their plans and the achievement of sustainable healthcare for the benefit of patients, public and planet.”

The two parties have agreed to collaborate on a set of activities which will aid the Emirate in achieving its sustainability targets. These activities consist of delivering a sustainability masterclass, accessing the sustainability accelerator tool, and coaching and consulting support. The delivery of the learning programme will be directed towards healthcare leaders and stakeholders to further increase their capabilities and knowledge within the field of sustainability, in addition to equipping them with key information and tools to plan, assess and address the necessary organisational changes. 

In line with DoH’s efforts in the digitisation of healthcare services, the sustainability accelerator tool is a digital platform that will enable maturity assessment of healthcare facilities related to sustainability and provides educational resources to aid facilities to address identified areas for advancement and to accomplish new positive outcomes. With the support of GSC’s expertise, these activities align with the Departments continuous efforts to establish a knowledge-based economy and support Abu Dhabi’s efforts in positioning itself as a hub for research and innovation in life sciences, within the region and globally. 

The two parties recognise the significance of effective collaboration, to provide the best healthcare services to the members of the community and to resume the relentless efforts to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare ecosystem in the Emirate.

It is worth noting that DoH is set to implement its newly set goals which cover areas of infrastructure, operations, and waste management, as its efforts come in line with the Emirate’s “Economic Vision 2030” to complete a reduction of 20% in the carbon footprint by 2030 and the “UAE Net Zero by 2050”, ensuring infrastructure development and environment sustainability across all sectors. This collaboration not only addresses the sustainability challenges in which the Emirate is currently facing, but also provides solutions for future challenges. DoH continues to relentlessly work towards identifying gaps and regulations and cooperating with the biggest international partners that would help the Emirate achieve its sustainability goals.