The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) took part in a series of training programmes and workshops in Romania related to environmental sustainability in hospitals. In particular, the NOVA NSPH team organised two case studies that allowed for a practical discussion on the best approaches to making hospitals more sustainable, as well as highlighting the skills needed to achieve the desired goals in terms of sustainability in the health sector.
In this regard, the NOVA NSPH team, which included Miguel Lopes, Joana Seringa and Maria Rita Pessoa, shared several examples of how the Academy plays a decisive role in research and teaching in these areas, and how it is essential to update training so that the next generations of leaders are better prepared to address the challenges of environmental sustainability. The projects and initiatives in which NOVA NSPH is involved in terms of the quest for carbon neutrality and collaborative partnerships to implement the necessary measures for the Public Health of the future were shared.
On the other hand, the projects and work carried out by the Academy are also fundamental in creating and sharing evidence that strategically supports political decisions, and this is a path that requires the involvement of all stakeholders in agreeing concrete actions and priorities, while also seeking to involve citizens in optimising processes.
As a way of making everyone aware of the importance of changing various behaviours, the workshops took place without the use of any printed material or plastic materials. As a symbolic gesture, participants were also given a tree to plant.
This participation is part of the ‘Capacity development for the management of services in Romania’ project run by the World Health Organisation and the Romanian Ministry of Health. Its implementation is the responsibility of an international consortium led by the NOVA NSPH, under the coordination of Alexandre Lourenço.