National Policy and Strategy on Cleaner Production for Health Sector

Democratic Socia lis t Republic of Sri Lanka NA~rlONAL POLICY AND STRATEGY ON CLEANER PRODUCTION FOR HEALTH SECTOR Min is try of Healthcare & Nutrition , 38~. Re, BaJdcga rna Wirnalawansa Thero Mawatha, C olo111bo 10, Sri Lanka. In col1aboration with Minisft·y of E.nvironment and Natural Resources .2, • \,1111p:1tlipay a", Rajamalwalte Road , Batlaramulla, Sri Lanka. 2007 Message from ~on. Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister of Healthcare & Nutrition The government is committed to provide free healthcare to the people of Sri Lanka. However the healthcare cost is on the increase due to population growth, epidemiological, and demographic transitions and advancement of · science and technology in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. This is further aggravated by the increased demand on the natural resources leading to . environmental degradation and pollution which adversely affect health of the population. Therefore, it is , necessary that strategies and interventions are adopted to meet these challenges without compromising the free healthcare delivery system. These should aim at achieving sustainable development, , enhanced environmental quality, optimal utilization of resources, sustainable ; production and consumption patterns and improving productivity. It has been accepted that Cleaner Production Concepts and practices address all these issues. ' t:' ... The Cabinet of Ministers has already approved the National Policy for Cleaner Production developed by the Ministry of Env ironment and Natural Resources. The National Policy identifies the importance of sectoral policies, and the development of this health sector policy is a realization of this principle. I wish to congratulate this joint activity undertaken by my Ministry with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and hope that this would enable the health sector to improve resource utilization . Preface The health indicators show that Sri Lanka has been able to achieve a ' high health status with a low per capita income compared to the developed . countries. This is due to a strong and dynamic healthcare delivery system and the commitment by successive governments to provide free healthcare for all. With the changing epidemiological and demographic patterns and rise in healthcare cost, it is vital to strengthen and improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of the system, by optimizing the utilization of human, physical and other resources while adopting environmental friendly practices. Environmental factors such as pollution play an important role in enhancing the healthcare burden. To prevent and minimize environmental pollution, the consumption patterns and utilization of the natural resources should become sustainable. Further the sustainable production and consumption patterns also lead to reduction in poverty and prevent imbalances in economic development opportunities. Adoption of "Cleaner Production Concept" has been identified as one of the interventions to address the above concerns, as it advocates environmental friendly practices, optimal use of resources and life cycle management of products and provision of services. This will help to improve ' the health sector by minimizing wastage and imbalances in the system. This would also address issues such as health care waste management practices, optimal use of energy resources and productiv ity. The development of the health sector policy on cleaner production is in keeping with the National Policy, with a view to incorporate cleaner production concept and practices within the health system. I congratulate the Environmental & Occupation Health Unit of My ·· fy'finistry for developing the Health Sector Policy under the guidance and support of the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the National ' Cleaner Production Centre. Dr. H.A.P. Kahandaliyanage Secretary , Ministry ofHealthcare & Nutrition NATIONAL POLICY AND STRATEGY ON CLEANER PRODUCTION FOR HEALTH SECTOR J. Preamble Hen Ith sector is one of the largest sectors w hich addresses preventive, curative, laboratory services and health promotion under w hich there are mony activities which include inter-alia administration, patient care, food supply to patients and cafeteria, cleaning and disinfection, energy usage, garden and outdoor management, laboratories, laundry, pharmacy, healthcare wuste management, water& electricity consumptioB. Over the past few decades, the environmental pollution has increased cnusing more health impacts adding to the health care cost. In addition depletion of nattiral resources like insufficiency of potable water, directly affects human health and productivity. Depletion of other resources too will adversely affect the quality of life of the people. Healthcare institutions themselves can cause health risks if the healthcare waste is not managed properly. Sri Lanka has a good healthcare delivery system w hen compared with other developing countries in the South Asian region . It has been observed that the demand for services has increased as a result of epidemiological and demographic transition. Therefore it is important to ensure optimal utilization of available resources. Incorporatio"n of Cleaner Production * cc;>ncept can improve environmentally friendly practices, life cycle management of products and provision of services and optimal use of resources. It continually applies integrated preventive environmental strategies to processes, products, and services to increase efficiency and reduces risks to humans and the environment. "'Cleaner Production is the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strutcgy to processes, products and services to increase efficiency and reduce risks to humans anti the environment. 2. Vision · Highest environmental · quality and living standards in place to ensure a ,,healthy n~tion . .. 3. Mission Adopt Cleaner Production concept and practices into the health care systems and services .to a~hieve sustainable cons.umption and production in order to improve eco-friendly and healthy-living. 4. ·rol~cy Goals 4.1· Ensure sustainable socio- economic development ,in Sri Lanka. 4.2 Ensure highest quality of health care for.the people of Sri Lanka. · 4.3 Ensure high quality of hum-an resources. 1 •• \ I L ' 4.4 Achieve highest productivity through efficient and optimal utilization of resources in an eco-friendly manner. 5. Policy Objectives · S.} Establish · eco~efficient consumption patterns for optimum resource management in the framework of the health care system. · ' ' , 5.2 Establish environmentally sound waste management · practices emphasizing preventive measures 'in the healthcare system. · 5.3 Promote social responsibility and community participation through . eco-friendly col')sumption and productioll'it:i the health sector. · 5 .4 Inculcate CP con~ciousness among health care workers and pr<?fessio~als for better curative and preventive services. 6. Policy Staten1ents h . I I k..dt hcan: in,Litutions to adopt CP principles by strengthening existing ins lit ul ional 1111.:chanisms for enicient utilization and mobilization of n:"uurn:"i. <L .2 I k ,tllliLt1re i11'>titutio11s to es tablish and i111plement waste 111anagement ") .... 1~111-. rrioriti/i11g waste prevention strategies. 6 .J I ·.n~mc 'i ll '> l:.ti ncd di ssemination of in formation to the public on pollution of \\ t1k1 , <111 ,111d land and their impact on environment, food safety and human llc:1llh. <, .. 1 SI rl'n~ I IH.:n I lie capacity or healthcare providers at all levels on health and l' 11 v irn11111 l'11tal i111pacl-, due to improper and inefficient use of natural l'l''sl l LI rl ec..,. Cl . -::; /\LL·rcdil health care institutions to incorporate quality assurance rn~1wg c111c11I sys tems. h (1 I ~., tt1lil is h a continuous sustained monitoring system for CP related .1clivitics . h.7 l11tcg ralc CP pri11ciples ,n health promotion to empower community for be tt e r quality orlire. 7. Strategies 7. I Secure and sustain political and administrative commitment to establish an effective institution~! mechanism at all levels. 7 2 Incorporate teaching of CP concept and principles into the curricula of "ic hools training institutes, academic institutions including post graduate ins titutions. 7. 3 Incorporate CP practices into the in service training for all health sector employees. 7.4 Strengthen institutional capacity for implementation of CP policies, 'i trategies, and action plans. 7.5 Develop and implement a rewarding system. 7 .6 I ·.s tab I is h evaluating and monitoring systei:ns . 7 7 Create awareness among general public on relationship between health, quality of environment and resource consumption through social rnlll'k<.:ti ng. 7.8 Supp(y clwi II management to improve overall eco-efficiency of the system. 7.Q Dcvc I up ad mi n i<; trati ve and financial instruments to faci I itate , mplemc ntat ion or CP poli c ies and practices. 7. 10 l)r.; vi: lop and implement an efficient and sustainable information sys tem to niohili1e a nd c.., hare resources and di sseminate information including "l ll CC C!>-; <.; fo ri c'> :111d !:1ilures orC P activ ities.