‘It’s a marathon not a sprint’: Industry leaders chart next steps in medtech’s sustainability journey

Ahead of World Environment Day in June, Jane Crowe, Managing Director of Cardinal Health Australia and New Zealand and Pravin Siriwardena, Policy Manager of the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), joined Health Industry Hub. The dialogue expanded on insights shared at the last MTAA conference in shifting to a greener healthcare system.

The duo explored the inaugural National Health and Climate Strategy launched last year, highlighting its specific implications for the medtech sector.

“We need to have harmonisation between the Commonwealth and the state strategies to ensure that both sides are on the journey together and making the most meaningful change. The challenge has been reducing the fragmentation that’s very prevalent in the healthcare system,” Mr Siriwardena emphasised.

The sustainability report from APACMed, the medtech industry body in the Asia Pacific region, was also reviewed, emphasising its local relevance in procurement activities.

“What’s even more interesting is that ESG is a key factor in attracting top talent,” Ms Crowe said, drawing attention to compelling statistics from the report.

Delving further, the establishment of MTAA’s Sustainability Working Group was explored, with Mr Siriwardena articulating its overarching vision and short-term objectives.

“In the next 12 months the vision is to reduce fragmentation. It’s also about having a coordinated way to talk to government where you have less cynicism and they really consider the nuances of the medtech sector,” he said.

In offering advice to medtech organisations on their sustainability journey, Ms Crowe stated “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You have to be in it for the long haul. We’ve got a wonderful opportunity as an industry to partner with our customers and to work together for a solution.”

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