Mangaluru: ‘Go Green In Healthcare,’ a one day conclave organised by the Dept of Hospital Administration, Father Muller Medical College (FMMC), was inaugurated by Minister for Health and Family Welfare, UT Khader, by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries at theFMMC Decennial hall here, on January 23.
Sweta D’Cunha welcomed the gathering. UT Khader in his inaugural address said, “Such conclaves are very useful as the concept will help the society. It is the duty of the government and institutions to look into the available technology and use it towards the green initiative.” He said that every drop of water should be used twice and wisely. Solid waste and biomedical management is a major issue.
Khader said that we should not compare India with America as our decisions and planning is based on humanity and culture, but American planning and decision making is based on rules and revenues only.
“We should discuss and come up with solutions and such conclaves help us understand the methods to make the medical field greener. I congratulate FMMC for taking up this initiative. I am sure you all will implement the ideas that you learn from here,” he said.
Fr Patrick Rodrigues said that a document was released by Pope Francis which said that the earth was a mother which belonged to all and it was our duty to preserve it for the future. Hospitals were the setups which consumed maximum resources. “Initiative taken to go green will have a cascading effect for the world in the future,” he said.
Fr Patrick gave an example of Greenwich hospital based in Connecticut, which had implemented steps towards a greener medical facility like, purchasing goods locally, water and energy conservation, chemical safety and proper waste disposal. “Steps taken to go green are steps taken to save the earth, a common home for all,” he added.
Dr Prashanth Marla gave the keynote address. He said that certain concepts could be borrowed from the science of Vaastu which could help get natural light and air circulation. Solar rooftops, gardens and water harvesting should be done. Before constructing a building proper planning is necessary. Recycling water, low power consuming equipment, environment friendly air conditioning, interlocks, grass pavements, paperless hospitals, woodless furniture, movement sensors for lighting switches, push taps, proper disposal of E-waste, maintenance of equipment and implementation of reusable walls and panels to reduce construction debris were some of his suggestions. “Organ donation also should be done,” he added.
Dr Harish Gowda delivered the vote of thanks. Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa and Fr Richard Coelho were also present on the dais.
