Philips’ global leader tackles barriers and ethical dilemmas in environmental sustainability

ESG: With the healthcare sector’s climate resilience and sustainability efforts varying widely across Australia, Senior Director of Group Sustainability at Philips, Olesya Struk, outlined a compelling blueprint for embedding environmental sustainability at the core of medtech companies.

Addressing the urgency felt by 60% of Australian consumers (Philips Future Health Index report) for sustainable healthcare delivery, Struk identified the biggest barriers to future-proofing health systems with environmental considerations.

“From the policy perspective, one of the biggest barriers lies in the need for clear regulatory frameworks and incentives that prioritise sustainability within the healthcare sector. The lack of standardisation across the healthcare industry is another top barrier to implementing environmental sustainability practices,” she emphasised in this Health Industry Hub podcast.

In response to the assertion from Kylie Woolcock, CEO of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA), that 40% of healthcare delivery is low-value care, waste or care that leads to harm, Struk acknowledged the role of medtech companies in promoting the concept of “doing less” to reduce emissions. She highlighted how Philips’ “digital solutions support dematerialisation by delivering maximum value with minimum materials, helping avoid unnecessary use of resources”.

Associate Professor Angie Bone from Monash Sustainable Development Institute challenged healthcare organisations by questioning whether they “value money over people and the planet”.

Reflecting on this powerful subject, Struk said it raised “fundamental ethical consideration within the healthcare sector and in the industry”. She shared her observations and addressed the broader industry view, saying “There is a growing recognition of the need to balance financial viability with social and environmental responsibility.”

Finally, she offered advice to medtech companies embarking on their sustainability journey, stressing how to “prioritise sustainability as strategic imperative”.

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