By Milliam Murigi
Kenya’s green healthcare guidelines have been validated and are ready for launch next week.
The guidelines provide a roadmap for hospitals and health facilities to reduce their environmental footprint while improving service delivery.
“These guidelines provide a structured and practical framework to transition our health sector into one that is low-carbon and climate-resilient,” said Mary Muthoni, PS, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards.
The guidelines, are anchored in the country’s climate commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which target a 32 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an even steeper 35 percent cut by 2035 under an updated framework.
Key focus areas include waste management, energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable procurement and supply chain management and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.
The guidelines come at a time when climate change is already placing significant strain on the country’s health systems. Kenya, like many nations, is already experiencing these impacts through increased frequency of extreme weather events and climate-sensitive diseases.
“Climate change is a present and growing public health challenge. We are witnessing rising heat-related illnesses, shifts in disease patterns, and increased respiratory conditions due to air pollution. This month alone, floods in Nairobi caused losses amounting to billions of shillings,” said Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General of Health.
According to him, greening the health sector means rethinking how we design, operate, and manage our health systems. It calls for practical actions improving health care waste management, enhancing energy efficiency, conserving water, adopting sustainable procurement practices, and building climate-resilient health facilities.
These are not just environmental priorities; they are essential for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“The good thing is that these guidelines are a critical step in this journey. They provide a framework to support our facilities, both public and private in, adopting environmentally responsible practices while maintaining high standards of care,” said Dr. Amoth.
A central pillar of the guidelines is sustainable procurement and supply chain management an area increasingly recognized as critical in reducing emissions in the health sector.
Globally, the healthcare supply chain contributes more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by the production, transportation and disposal of medical supplies and equipment. The guidelines promote responsible sourcing, efficient use of resources and environmentally compliant suppliers to cut this footprint.
The guidelines also places strong emphasis on moving away from traditional incineration and towards non-burn technologies, reducing harmful emissions and promoting safer, more sustainable waste management practices across the health sector.
“Shifting from traditional incineration, which emits carbon dioxide and toxic pollutants, to non-burn technologies like autoclaving will drastically reduce emissions and make Kenya’s healthcare system greener and safer,” said Dr. Amoth.
Green buildings and nature-based solutions to improve indoor air quality in health facilities are another key focus of the guidelines. This includes optimized building designs for natural ventilation, the use of non-toxic construction materials, energy-efficient systems, and the integration of green spaces to enhance air circulation and promote patient well-being.
“With small, consistent actions scaled across the sector, we can achieve significant transformation. Sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare is not optional—it is an obligation to safeguard the well-being of current and future generations,” Dr. Amoth concluded.
In addition, digital healthcare has been identified as a key area of focus in advancing sustainability within the sector. By leveraging digital health systems such as electronic medical records, telemedicine, and data-driven decision-making, the guidelines aim to reduce paper use, minimize unnecessary patient travel and improve efficiency in service delivery. Experts note that digital solutions can significantly lower the sector’s carbon footprint while expanding access to care, especially in remote areas.
Stakeholders at the validation meeting underscored the need to align healthcare infrastructure, procurement systems, and service delivery with climate goals, noting that greener and more efficient systems can significantly reduce emissions while improving patient outcomes.
Arch. Nickson Otieno, Niko Green and the consultant leading the process said the guidelines are the result of extensive consultations and research, blending international best practices with Kenya’s specific healthcare needs.
“Incorporating sustainable supply chains, green infrastructure and digital solutions will be key to achieving a resilient and future-ready health system,” Arc. Otieno noted.
Once launched, the guidelines will be rolled out in phases, starting with pilot health facilities before scaling up nationwide, alongside training and capacity-building initiatives to support implementation.
If effectively implemented, the initiative could lower operational costs, improve efficiency, enhance patient outcomes, and create healthier environments across Kenya’s healthcare facilities.
