AIIMS to be made 'green hospital': Vardhan

The country's premier medical facility AIIMS should move away from using conventional energy that is responsible for polluting environment and adding green house gases, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today as he resolved to convert the hospital into a "green hospital".
Vardhan said that his plan for 'Green AIIMS' is based on the government's determination to fight climate change.
"Healthcare institutions should strive to reduce their energy consumption and maximise use of solar energy and other similar natural resources," he said, addressing a gathering on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Vardhan said that the new-look AIIMS will have water conservation and waste water recycling systems in place.

"There must be regular energy audits and a phased renewal plan must be developed with a view to making the buildings in the complex more energy efficient.
"Its entire waste generation, including medical waste generation must be brought down by an approach of reduce, reuse and recycling of waste. A scavenging system to deal with nitrous oxide and other waste anaesthetic gases is also the need of the hour," he said.

The Minister said that plantation around the hospital should also be done with a view to capture particulate pollutants to prevent harm to hospitalised patients.
Stating that many buildings are being awarded for their efforts for energy conservation but hospitals are never seen in the list, Vardhan asked, "Why should not hospitals try to get such awards sending out positive signals and becoming the brand ambassadors for environmental protection and preservation adding to the improved health of community."

"The unattractive facade of government hospitals should become a thing of past. We do not have to be ostentatious to do that. Beginning with AIIMS-New Delhi, I want all public hospitals to resonate with inclusivity and enlightenment," Vardhan said.