The ever-vibrant healthcare sector in the state is all set to embrace the novel concept of green hospitals. A green hospital uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.
The first entrant to the concept will be the 500-bed, 1.5 lakh sqft new block of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram.
Construction for the same will commence in two months and is expected to finish in two years. Joining the green league, some private hospitals in Ernakulam are also exploring possibilities to get the ‘green hospital’ tag. As per experts in the healthcare sector, ‘green hospital’ is the latest trend and is gradually gaining momentum in the country. A 300-bed hospital in Haryana has recently got the highest rating for the green concept. B R Ajit, chairman, Indian Green Building Council - Cochin Chapter, said in order to improvise the healthcare delivery and waste management, it is important for hospitals to provide a greener atmosphere for a sustainable hospital administration. “By changing to the green hospital concept, the main advantage will be in terms of energy saving. As per estimates, 35-40 per cent of energy could be saved if the hospital is shifted to the green concept and 30 per cent of water could also be saved. Moreover, selection of materials would provide a healthy environment for the patients. For example, under the green building method, we prohibit the usage of volatile organic compounds as these are harmful. Also 100 per cent water recycling takes place in green hospitals,” he added.
The country’s green building footprint has grown from 20,000 sq ft in 2001 to projects covering 1.64 billion sq ft as of now, which indicates the spread of the green concept. P K Mohamed Rasheed, president, Kerala Private Hospital’s Association, said that the green hospital concept will get more mileage in the state soon. “The association is very much open to the concept and would promote it,” he added. Echoing the opinion, Philip Augustine, managing director, Lakeshore Hospital, said he appreciated the concept.