St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City (SLMC-GC) on Wednesday said it earned a five-star Green and Secure Health Facilities (GSHF) accreditation from the Department of Health (DoH), making it the primary and only private hospital within the country to receive the popularity.
In an announcement, SLMC-GC said the accreditation positions the hospital as a pacesetter in sustainable and environmentally responsible healthcare operations, alongside being a pacesetter in clinical excellence.
“Healthcare is inherently tied to the environment. By ensuring our facilities operate sustainably, we aren’t just healing patients today—we’re protecting the health of our communities for the long run,” Dr. Dennis P. Serrano, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of St. Luke’s Medical Center, said in an announcement.
The hospital achieved the best five-star rating by demonstrating excellence in governance, water efficiency, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare waste management, environmental resilience, and indoor environmental quality.
SLMC-GC said a key factor behind the popularity was the hospital’s transition to 100% renewable electricity, supported by energy-efficient lighting systems and carbon-reduction initiatives.
St. Luke’s also integrated sustainability into patient care through admission kits containing eco-friendly products made by local artisans and farmer groups.
The GSHF program is a framework established by the DoH to guide hospitals and first care facilities in becoming climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable. Facilities are awarded one to 5 stars based on their compliance with DoH standards. — Edg Adrian A. Eva