2023 Green Medical Forum at Taipei Medical University: Advancing Eco-friendly Healthcare Solutions

Taipei Medical University held the 2023 Green Medical Forum in April, collaborating with Taipei Medical University Hospital, Wanfang Hospital, and Shuang Ho Hospital.

In the pursuit of decreasing carbon emissions in the medicine service industry, the discussion and speech in the forum surrounded three topics: net-zero healthcare service, sustainable economy, and digital health.

The photo of the speakers of 2023 Green Medical Forum

The forum started with an analysis of the Taipei Medical University Healthcare System (TMU Healthcare System)’s net-zero strategies. TMU Healthcare System adopted long-distance medical healthcare to decrease the carbon emitted during patients’ transportation and benefit patients who face challenges in accessing in-person medical care. Moreover, TMU Healthcare System has been promoting industry-university collaboration to develop innovative ways to increase the efficiency and accuracy of undergoing significant surgeries.

David Chow, President of the Taipei Independent Director Association, mentioned the concepts of circular economy and green supply chain from the perspective of industry fields. He stated that by providing environmentally conscious medical services, such as controlling the stock of medicine and medical devices, reducing the purchase of environmentally harmful materials, and adopting AI technology into administrative systems, healthcare systems can make the world a step closer to a sustainable future.

David Chow, President of The Taipei Independent Director Association, shared his thoughts on reducing carbon emissions

Following Chow’s words, doctors from the three affiliated hospitals shared achievements of hospitals in green practices, including applying green medical materials and avoiding low-value healthcare services. In the end, the Chairman of the TMU board of trustees concluded the forum by unveiling the idea that the most efficient way for TMU to approach the net-zero goal is to fully understand its structure in carbon emission; thus, TMU would be able to come up with concrete and practical strategies to reduce carbon emission.