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Facing significant sustainability challenges and being a major global carbon emitter, the healthcare sector is turning to cutting-edge technology and digital innovation to enhance its environmental sustainability.
Waste management is a significant challenge for the medical sector. For example, each cataract surgery produces around 3 kg of waste, and with Tan Tock Seng Hospital conducting 2,400 such surgeries annually, this totals an impressive 7,200 kg of waste. Tackling these issues was the central theme of the inaugural CHI x SIT Healthcare Sustainability Innovation Challenge, which took place during the CHI INNOVATE 2024 conference.
The challenge, spearheaded by the Centre for Healthcare Innovation (CHI) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), highlighted the urgent need for green solutions in healthcare. The event brought together healthcare professionals from Singapore’s public healthcare clusters and SIT faculty, who provided expert coaching and mentoring over two months.
Nine teams competed to develop innovative solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of healthcare practices, with a prize of SG$ 3,000 and the opportunity to refine their ideas at the CHI Sustainability Academy.
PRIME MedMatch: This project tackles medication wastage by connecting donors with recipients. By reducing unused medication that would otherwise be discarded, this solution addresses both waste and resource efficiency.
Algorithm-driven Optimisation for Sustainable Cytotoxic Drug Compounding: This team developed an AI-driven SMART calculator to optimise drug selection for robotic compounding, aiming for zero production waste in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs.
Weaving Challenges into Sustainable Uniforms: This initiative focuses on creating uniforms from 100% recyclable PET materials, reducing the environmental impact of hospital apparel.
The CHI x SIT Healthcare Sustainability Innovation Challenge exemplifies the impact of collaborative efforts in addressing healthcare’s environmental footprint. The challenge is part of a broader initiative that includes the newly launched CHI Sustainability Academy (CHI SA), with SIT as a key partner. This academy will serve as a hub for advancing sustainable practices in healthcare, focusing on waste reduction, energy conservation, and water management.
The renewed partnership between SIT and CHI formalised with a new MoU at the CHI INNOVATE 2024 conference, builds on their successful collaboration since 2016. This partnership has previously led to significant advancements, including the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) and research projects aimed at improving patient outcomes.
As part of the CHI SA, SIT will co-develop and deliver courses in critical areas such as energy efficiency, materials use, and ICT for sustainability. The academy aims to empower healthcare professionals with the skills needed to implement sustainable practices effectively.
Associate Professor Wong Hon Tym, Clinical Director at CHI and leader of CHI SA emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing complex sustainability challenges. He noted that SIT’s involvement is crucial for fostering a more sustainable healthcare system through collaborative problem-solving and leveraging combined expertise.
Associate Professor Ethan Chong, Head of Sustainability (Education & Research) at SIT, underscored the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to tackling sustainability issues. He praised the boldness of the projects presented, noting their potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of healthcare while enhancing patient care. The challenge also provides valuable insights for SIT faculty, enriching their teaching material with real-world sustainability issues.
The CHI Sustainability Academy was launched last month to advance sustainability in healthcare. The academy, inaugurated by Minister Grace Fu, focuses on training healthcare professionals in sustainable practices, including care model redesign, leadership, and impact measurement. It aims to tackle the sector’s environmental challenges, such as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The CHI x SIT Healthcare Sustainability Innovation Challenge represents a significant step toward transforming healthcare practices. By focusing on sustainable innovation, this initiative aims to drive meaningful change and set new standards for environmental responsibility in the healthcare sector.
