Abu Dhabi and Geneva Sustainability Centre join forces on healthcare sustainability
As part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, on 18 January the Geneva Sustainability Centre signed a strategic memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate.
The agreement will see the Geneva Sustainability Centre deliver a sustainability masterclass, access to the sustainability accelerator tool, and coaching and consulting support for the healthcare workforce in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration will support the healthcare ecosystem across Abu Dhabi to achieve its sustainability targets by building climate resilience and establishing capabilities amongst stakeholders and leaders.
Attended by HE Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH, the agreement was signed by H.E. Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi, Executive Director Healthcare Facilities at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and Sonia Roschnik, Executive Director, Geneva Sustainability Centre. The witnesses were Dr Muna Tahlak, CEO of Latifa Hospital in Dubai Health Authority and President-Elect of the IHF, and Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director, Brand and Strategic Initiatives for Masdar City.
At the ceremony, H.E. Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi said:
“We at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi look forward to our collaboration with the Geneva Sustainability Centre, as it aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare ecosystem in the Emirate, contributing to the enhancement and development of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem. Under the directives of our wise leadership, we work on partnering with global experts to provide the highest levels of care to the members of our community, thus cementing the Emirate’s position as a global hub for healthcare and life sciences.
This comes after the DoH’s recent announcement of the healthcare ecosystem’s sustainability goals, which will ensure that we provide sustainable and innovative healthcare services for members of our community today, and for generations to come.”
The event was attended by healthcare leaders from Abu Dhabi, representing IHF members in the community. Before the ceremony, Sonia Roschnik met leaders from each of the hospitals to hear their plans to become climate resilient as part of the strategy implementation. The discussions included Marc Petre. COO, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi; Dr Alan Stewart CMO, NMC Healthcare; Matthew Dronsfield, CSO, MediClinic Middle East; Dr Nasser Ammash, CEO, and Carolyn Millward CFO, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) Mayo Clinic.
Speaking after the event, Sonia Roschnik, Executive Director of the Geneva Sustainability Centre stated:
“When the IHF established the Geneva Sustainability Centre, it was with a clear mission to drive net zero, climate resilient and sustainable healthcare, in support of IHF member organisations. We commend the leadership demonstrated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and are delighted to support their plans and the achievement of sustainable healthcare for the benefit of patients, public and planet.”
The activities developed by the Geneva Sustainability Centre will aid the Emirate in achieving its sustainability targets. The delivery of the learning programme will be directed towards healthcare leaders and stakeholders to further increase their capabilities and knowledge within the field of sustainability, in addition to equipping them with key information and tools to plan, assess, and address the necessary organizational changes.
The signing ceremony was a highlight of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023.
