The global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact not only on public health but also on various aspects of society. The Planetary Health Project of Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) focuses particularly on the comprehensive impact of medical waste and environmental pollution, discussing how the healthcare system can evolve post-COVID, considering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among other factors, through multi-stakeholder discussions.

The COVID-19 pandemic, while a significant health crisis, also posed an environmental crisis, exemplified by the approximately 800 million vaccine doses administered worldwide, resulting in an estimated 144,000 tons of waste. This situation calls for a re-evaluation of the current medical waste management systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adopting eco-friendly packaging, reusable personal protective equipment (PPE), and recyclable and biodegradable materials. These initiatives not only mitigate environmental impact but also prevent potential long-term health risks to healthcare workers and the community.

Environmental pollution related to medical waste, such as air pollution contributing to a third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer, and heart disease, poses a significant threat to public health. The correlation between human health and the planet’s environment is clear from a planetary health perspective, emphasizing the urgency of broad measures to curb pollution and protect human health and the environment. The causes of environmental pollution are diverse and multifaceted, ranging from industrial activities to transportation, waste management, and natural disasters. Addressing this requires a comprehensive multi-stakeholder approach that combines efforts across disciplines to reduce pollution and protect human and planetary health from current and future threats.

Especially in rebuilding society post-COVID, we aim to nurture a comprehensive approach to medical waste and environmental pollution under the goals of SDG3 “Good Health and Well-being,” SDG6 “Clean Water and Sanitation,” and SDG12 “Responsible Consumption and Production.” These goals tie medical waste management and environmental conservation to a broad and global ambition, requiring a unified approach that includes policy, innovation, and collective action.

This expert meeting aims to illuminate the intertwined crises of medical waste and environmental pollution, seeking innovative and sustainable solutions to protect human and planetary health from a planetary health perspective. Insights from the discussions, new partnerships, and feasible solutions to mitigate the impact of environmental pollution and medical waste in the post-pandemic healthcare sector will be explored.

 

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Friday, February 16, 2024; 16:30-18:00 JST
• Format: Hybrid (In-Person and Online (Zoom Webinars))
• Venue: Event Field, Grand Cube 3F, Otemachi Financial City, Global Business Hub Tokyo 1-9-2, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004 JAPAN
• Participation fee: Free
• Languages: Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation
• Hosts: Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI)
• Support: Japan R-SUD Association (JRSA), Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH)
• Sponsor: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Global Health Innovation Policy Program (GHIPP)
• Capacity:
  Venue: 80 people
  Online: 500 people
  
  *Everyone is welcome to attend in person if they wish.
  **After your registration is complete, a confirmation e-mail will be sent automatically to your e-mail address. If you do not receive it, please send us an e-mail at info@hgpi.org.
  
  

[Program] (Title omitted, no specific order)

16:30-16:40 – Opening and Purpose Explanation

Kiyoshi Kurokawa (Chairman, Health and Global Policy Institute)

16:40-17:55 Keynote Speech 1: The Situation Surrounding Waste in the Healthcare Sector During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ramon San Pascual (Executive Director, Asia Team, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH))

16:55-17:10 Keynote Speech 2: Measures to reduce the environmental impact of medical waste in Japan

Yoshio Uetsuka (Supreme Adviser & Special Member, Japan R-SUD Association)

17:10-17:55 Panel Discussion: Efforts Required to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Healthcare Sector and Promote Such Initiatives

Panelists:
Yoshio Uetsuka (Supreme Adviser & Special Member, Japan R-SUD Association)
Akiyoshi Yamaguchi (ReMed Program manager, Supply Chain Department, Finance & Operations Division, Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd)
Ichiro Sumikura (Deputy Director-General, Environment Regeneration and Resource Circulation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment of Japan)
Keiko Nakamura (Professor, Department of Global Health Entrepreneurship, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences (Medicine), Tokyo Medical and Dental University)
Keisuke Nansai (Head, Material Cycles Division of National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES))

Moderator:
Shu Suzuki (Senior Associate, Health and Global Policy Institute)

17:55-18:00 Closing Remarks

Kenichi Matsumoto (Chairman, Japan Association of Medical Devices Industries)