Towards sustainable and accessible healthcare: launch of the dialogue on the impact of climate change on public health
The Dutch Global Health Hub was launched at a festive event on 28 September 2023. After a number of speeches by key figures including Ernst Kuipers, Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, the members of the communities of practice took the opportunity to get to know each other better. The Netherlands plays an active international role in combating climate change and deforestation and in biodiversity conservation and restoration. These issues are also included in the Dutch global health strategy for the 2023-2030 period. For this reason, a community has been set up to focus on the link between health and climate.
Combating climate change through various collaborative initiatives
During its initial session, the community charted various initiatives at the nexus of climate change and health. The partners also discussed the Netherlands’ international ambitions for climate and water and an adaptive approach to agriculture and food. ‘By working together, we have the opportunity to transform healthcare, so that it becomes more sustainable and more accessible to all,’ said Ruth van Asperen, Global Partnerships Manager at Philips.
‘The dynamics between private and public organisations, and input from young people will play a key role in taking targeted action against climate change,’ added Kimberley Nagesser, delegate of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA).
‘By working together, we have the opportunity to transform healthcare, so that it becomes more sustainable and more accessible to all’.
Ruth van Asperen, Global Partnerships Manager at Philips