Climate change threatens public health: Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana

Healthcare leaders, policymakers, medical professionals, and sustainability experts from India and across the Commonwealth gathered at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre for the Global Summit on Climate Change Mitigation – Healthcare Perspective, organised by the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) and hosted by the Indian Medical Association, Tamil Nadu State Branch.

The summit focused on strengthening climate-resilient healthcare systems through policy, governance, infrastructure, education, and clinical practice, highlighting the direct impact of climate change on public health and healthcare delivery.

Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member of the National Green Tribunal and Chief Guest of the summit, said, “Climate change is a direct threat to public health. Healthcare institutions must lead through accountability, ethical governance, and responsible environmental practices. Summits like this help turn policy into action.”

Addressing the role of academic institutions, Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Medical & Health Sciences), SRM Institute of Science and Technology, stated, “Healthcare education cannot be separated from climate realities. Universities must embed sustainability into teaching, research, and practice to prepare future leaders for climate-resilient health systems.”

Speaking on the clinical and operational dimensions of climate change, Dr. Jayanthi, Dean (Medical), SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, highlighted, “Climate change affects hospitals every day, from patient care to operations. This summit enables clinicians and administrators to share practical solutions that improve care while reducing environmental impact.”

The summit featured expert panels and interdisciplinary sessions on green hospital practices, climate-smart infrastructure, governance, leadership, and global best practices. It concluded with a collective policy commitment and a call for sustained collaboration to translate dialogue into measurable action for climate-resilient and sustainable healthcare systems.