Sri Lanka with the rest of the globe commemorated World Health Day (WHD) 2022 on April 7 on the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’ with the Ministry of Health and WHO Sri Lanka working in close collaboration.
WHD coincided with Health Worker Week (April 4 to 8) dedicated to all health and care personnel who have contributed to Sri Lanka’s efficient health system.
While the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic still stares the world including Sri Lanka in the face, people’s health and wellbeing continue to be impacted by the adverse effects of climate change.
Realizing the close interaction between the environment and people’s health, the Ministry of Health has launched many initiatives at institutional and individual level over the years to safeguard this life-giving resource.
In the southeast of Sri Lanka, set amidst a lush green sprinkled with brightly-coloured flowers, the District General Hospital of Monaragala has launched a ‘green productivity cycle’ covering the utilization of renewable energy both biogas and solar energy; a zero carbon emission concept; minimization of polythene use; composting and organic farming; and the operation of a waste water disposal system.
From the east, the Base Hospital of Kalmunai North has put in place a gardening and waste management plan which includes a biogas plant to supply energy for cooking in the rehabilitation unit; organic waste being used for compost production to fertilize the hospital garden and vegetable cultivation for hospital use; and solar energy for electricity generation. A common sight which meets the patients is hospital staff proudly carrying large pumpkins to the hospital kitchen from the vegetable patch.
Both the General Hospital of Kurunegala and the District General Hospital of Matale also use solar-generated electricity and biogas in their kitchens for cooking.
Meanwhile, pioneering health professionals have individually embraced ‘green travel’ to ward off the effects of motorized transport polluting the air, with the added bonus of a healthy lifestyle. Here we turn the spotlight on a few of the over 1,000 professionals including 100 doctors who have taken up this initiative.
Dr. Jayantha Wijepura, Consultant Physician at the Base Hospital of Kamburupitiya, cycles 18 kms to work and back, from his home in Matara. To popularize cycling, he has introduced a bicycle pool at the hospital – a library-like facility so that everyone has easy access to borrowing bicycles.
In other parts of the country, pedalling to work are one-time cycle racer, Mr. M.M. Ekanayake from the Regional Directorate of Health Services in Kandy and Mr. Asanka Mallikarachchi, psychiatric social worker at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, taking in his stride the steep Kadugannawa incline. At the central offices of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Sri Rajeevan, the Administrative Director of the Medical Services Branch, and Dr. Asela Abeydeera cycle to work from their homes.
Without just shouting from the rooftop, they have “walked the talk”, setting an example to all how simple actions could mitigate climate change and also strengthen public health. Doable actions to meet the escalating threats of climate change, while also getting the dose of exercise needed for the day.