Manila, Philippines – The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has recently formed the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Green and Safe Hospitals in the Philippines. 

Members of the TWG come from different sectors, with Health Care Without Harm-Asia as the only Civil Society Organization (CSO) represented.  The TWG on Green and Safe Hospitals is tasked to formulate the guidelines, policies and standards/criteria for resilient health systems and work to reduce the health sector ecological footprint.

The initial plans of the TWG are to conduct preliminary surveys in all Philippine hospitals on their green and safe practices, after which, possible formulation of a hospital rating system shall be developed to encourage hospitals to work towards the goal of building a green and safe health care facilities.

“We thank the DOH for inviting Health Care Without Harm to be a part of this technical working group and for sharing our vision of transforming the health care sector to become leaders in environmental sustainability and anchors of climate change mitigation and resilience in the communities,” expressed Executive Director Ramon San Pascual. “We look forward to working with the DOH and our local health systems in building green, healthy, and safe hospitals and health care facilities in the country.”

Members of the TWG meet at the DOH Main Office in Manila.

Other members of the TWG include the Health Facility Development Bureau of the DOH, Philippine Green Building Initiative, Philippine Green Building Council, Medical City, Philippine Heart Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and St. Luke’s Medical Center.