The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has declared 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability” to prepare for the upcoming COP28 conference in Dubai. Various sectors in the UAE, including the healthcare sector, are taking steps to align with this vision and make preparations for the conference.
In line with the focus on sustainability in the UAE, AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical company, has unveiled its plans to build sustainable offices at Dubai Science Park, which is a part of TECOM Group. The new offices are set to open in Q3 2023 and will meet the platinum standards in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) set out by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which are widely used and recognized globally.
AstraZeneca’s green offices demonstrate their support for the government’s ambition to drive and accelerate sustainable development in healthcare, aligning with “We the UAE 2031” vision. The company aims to eliminate carbon emissions from its global operations by 2025 as part of its “Ambition Zero Carbon” strategy, which aligns with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Health Systems Task Force, committed to accelerating the delivery of net-zero healthcare systems.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, formally launched the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2023, which is the largest meeting of healthcare firms, technology, and products in the MENA area, with the theme “innovation and sustainability in healthcare.”
His Highness paid a visit to the Emirates Health pavilion, which is being attended by the Dubai Health Authority, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). As part of an innovative national initiative to offer curative and digital health services in line with the nation’s strategy to establish a sustainable, adaptable preventive health system, the three bodies are showcasing jointly-developed projects.
His Highness was also briefed on the Revolution Aspire computed tomography (CT) system from GE Healthcare, which is slated to make its global debut at Arab Health 2023. The UAE was selected as the location for the technology’s worldwide premiere owing to its healthcare system’s focus on the future and its leadership’s commitment to offering the most cutting-edge patient care, according to GE Healthcare officials. The participation of GE Healthcare in the occasion is consistent with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and the company’s dedication to a more sustainable future.
“EHS, Schneider Electric, and Microsoft collaborate to improve patient safety and comfort, energy efficiency, and sustainable health.”
On the other hand, Emirates Health Services, Microsoft, and Schneider Electric have joined forces to introduce EcoStruxure for Healthcare, a digital twin solution intended to boost hospital energy efficiency by up to 30% while also enhancing operational performance in the healthcare sector. The technology will offer real-time information on multiple indicators and is intended to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and patient care.
With integrated management reports and tools, Schneider Electric’s Unified Operations Center will keep track of operational performance in a mock patient room. Debuting in Arab Health 2023, Schneider Electric wants to demonstrate how the digital twin solution can lessen the environmental impact of hospitals.
As Emirates Health Services (EHS), Schneider Electric, and Microsoft are working together to enhance patient safety and comfort, boost energy effectiveness, and advance sustainable health, the initiative is in line with EHS’s goal of being a premier destination for health services as well as the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.
Amel Chadli, vice president of Schneider Electric, sees the partnership as a means of showcasing the potential of public-private collaborations in healthcare innovation and as well as a means of producing a new digital twin that will lessen burnout and fatigue among healthcare workers while fostering sustainability.
The digital twin technology, according to Tareq Hijazi, Public Sector Director at Microsoft UAE, will offer thorough insights into how products and services may be operated sustainably. The goal is to examine carbon emissions and identify long-term remedies for the UAE’s healthcare sector and beyond.
“The objective of DoH is to create a strong system of regulations for green hospitals throughout the Emirate and reassess the way prescriptions are handled.”
Furthermore, The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), which regulates the healthcare sector in the Emirate, has revealed Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sustainability goals in conjunction with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023. These goals aim to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent in 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2050.
DoH’s healthcare sustainability agenda is segmented into long- and short-term goals and focuses on infrastructure, operations, and healthcare waste. DoH will support healthcare facilities to implement green building methodologies, transition to clean and renewable energy sources, and manage healthcare waste effectively.
The Department aims to establish a solid governance model for Green Hospitals across the Emirate and work closely with healthcare facilities to reassess prescription practices, apply efficient means of pharmaceutical waste management, reduce water consumption and encourage the use of more environmentally friendly transportation. In the short term, the Department will provide training and access to international networks to help the sector learn and delve deeper into the field of sustainability.
Hence, the healthcare sector in the UAE is taking bold steps towards sustainability, with a focus on green buildings, innovation, and reducing carbon emissions. AstraZeneca’s plans to build sustainable offices at Dubai Science Park and achieve platinum standards in LEED certification is a testament to their commitment to the “Ambition Zero Carbon” strategy and aligning with the UAE’s 2031 vision for sustainable development in healthcare.
The Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2023, with its theme of “innovation and sustainability in healthcare,” provides a platform for various stakeholders to showcase their efforts towards sustainability, such as the EcoStruxure for Healthcare digital twin solution, which aims to improve energy efficiency in hospitals.
Moreover, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals aim to reduce carbon emissions by 20% in 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2050, with a focus on infrastructure, operations, and healthcare waste. The concerted effort towards sustainability in the healthcare sector by both public and private entities is a positive development towards a more sustainable future for the UAE and beyond.
