The Health & Environment Leadership Platform (H.E.L.P.) Tamil Nadu Chapter Conference 2026 was held on Saturday at Ganga Medical Centre & Hospitals, Coimbatore.
Sustainability has become a key focus across industries, but it is now a necessity, particularly in healthcare, where energy consumption, water usage, waste generation and climate-related risks directly affect the delivery of responsible and resilient healthcare services.
Guided by the theme “Strategic Leadership for Sustainable Healthcare,” the conference aimed to encourage healthcare institutions to move beyond awareness and adopt practical, measurable sustainability initiatives.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Rama Rajasekaran, Director, Ganga Hospitals, and President of the H.E.L.P. Tamil Nadu Chapter. This was followed by the inaugural address delivered by Dr. Alexander Thomas, Chair of the Health & Environment Leadership Platform (H.E.L.P.) and the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).
Dr. Lingiah, Medical Director of Yashoda Hospitals and Regional Lead of H.E.L.P. South Zone, delivered the special address, highlighting the importance of leadership and collective action in advancing sustainable healthcare.
The conference brought together hospital administrators, quality professionals, facility managers and healthcare professionals to exchange ideas and share strategies for reducing the environmental impact of healthcare delivery.
The technical programme covered several key areas, including the business case for sustainable healthcare, carbon reduction and climate risk, hospital utilities and carbon footprint, green procurement, sustainable operating theatres (Green OT), water conservation and green hospital building standards.
A dedicated session also explored the possibility of integrating sustainability as a quality indicator in healthcare.
The speakers included Chandan Khanna, India Project Manager, Healthcare Without Harm, who spoke on the business case for sustainable healthcare; Vinod, Chairperson, Healthcare Engineers Forum, and Head Consultant at VBG Consulting Engineers, Kochi, who addressed hospital utilities and carbon footprint; Dr. Chandran Vinoth Kumar, Chairperson, Supply Chain Leaders Forum, CAHO, who spoke on green procurement; and Dr. Krishna Murthy, Director, DAK Healthcare Consultancy, Chennai, who discussed the challenges and implementation of Green OT practices.
Vanitha Mohan, Chairperson, Pricol Holdings, and Managing Trustee, Siruthuli, shared insights on water conservation and leadership. Ashwini Dokka, Associate Counsellor, IGBC-Green Commercial, addressed green hospital building standards, while Dr. Ramesh Babu, Medical Director, Dr. Mehta’s Hospital, discussed climate change, sustainability and quality indicators.
The panel discussion, titled “Sustainability: Boon or Bane?”, brought together Dr. Vishruth, Medical Head, TVS Hospitals, Madurai; Gina of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); Dr. Muthu Saravanan, Chairman, Muthus Hospital; Dr. Muthu Saravana Kumar, Chairman, Muthus Hospital; and Dr. Lingaiyah, Regional Lead, H.E.L.P. South Zone, and Medical Director, Yashoda Group of Hospitals, Hyderabad.
The programme also featured case studies highlighting environmental best practices in energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and green procurement. Poster presentations and an award distribution ceremony further recognised initiatives and efforts towards sustainable healthcare.
The conference reinforced the importance of leadership, collaboration and continuous improvement in embedding sustainability into hospital governance and day-to-day operations. By linking environmental action with infrastructure, procurement, utilities, waste management and quality improvement, H.E.L.P. encouraged healthcare institutions to share practical solutions and work collectively towards a healthier and greener future.
