#Singapore #National University Hospital #Green Operating Theatre #IHF Awards

National University Hospital's Remarkable Achievement at the IHF Awards 2026

The National University Hospital (NUH) has made headlines by winning the prestigious Gold Award in the Low Carbon Healthcare category at the International Hospital Federation (IHF) Awards 2026. This honor recognizes the hospital's Green Operating Theatre program, which has become a model for sustainable healthcare practices. Additionally, NUH was awarded an Honourable Mention for its comprehensive approach to embedding sustainability across its operations and healthcare delivery.

The awards were presented during the 49th World Hospital Congress held in Seoul, South Korea, where NUH also took the opportunity to showcase various initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, digital health, and organizational improvements.

Professor Aymeric Lim, the Chief Executive Officer of NUH, stated, "Healthcare must become more sustainable without compromising patient care. Our teams have shown that simple, practical changes on the ground, from the way we run our operating theatres to how we use resources, can make a real difference." He praised the multidisciplinary teams involved in turning innovative ideas into daily practices that enhance patient care.

Advancements in Low-Carbon Healthcare

NUH's Green Operating Theatre program began as a targeted initiative to reduce the use of high-carbon anaesthetic gases. Over time, this focused effort has blossomed into a hospital-wide sustainability initiative involving clinicians, nurses, operations teams, and facilities staff. Together, they work on various fronts, including waste management, energy management, and efficient resource use in surgical procedures.

One of the standout achievements of this program is the 99% reduction in the use of desflurane, a high-carbon anaesthetic gas, which has also resulted in impressive energy savings of approximately 660,000 kWh annually. Moreover, the surgical teams redesigned instrument sets for high-volume knee replacement procedures to better suit routine requirements, which led to a reduction of nearly 10,000 kg of CO2 emissions each year, alongside decreased water usage and sterilization workload.

NUH's initiatives extend beyond its own walls; valuable insights from these efforts have been shared widely through inter-cluster platforms, aiding the sustainability drive across Singapore's public healthcare system.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

The IHF also recognized NUH's organization-wide strategy that integrates sustainability into hospital planning and operations, earning an Honourable Mention for its thorough implementation. This approach is guided by the IHF Sustainability Accelerator Tool, allowing for a holistic integration of sustainability into leadership oversight, strategic planning, and day-to-day decisions. This methodology strengthens a diverse range of efforts, from environmental stewardship to workforce engagement and value-based care.

In recognition of its commitment, NUH became the first hospital globally to obtain the Healthcare Sustainability Certification from the Joint Commission International-Geneva Sustainability Centre in 2025. Furthermore, it achieved the highest 5-Leaf distinction in Newsweek-Statista's World's Greenest Hospitals index this year.

Innovation in Rehabilitation Services

Among the notable features showcased at the IHF Awards was the NUH Virtual Rehabilitation Centre (VRC), which has been recognized for its innovation in enhancing rehabilitation services post-hospitalization. This virtual-first ecosystem marries personalized patient education with AI-enabled telerehabilitation, enabling continuous patient support throughout their recovery journey. By removing geographical and time barriers, it bolsters patient participation in their recovery and allows therapists to focus more on complex rehabilitation needs.

The digital home exercise program has already supported around 2,000 patients, demonstrating significant outreach.

Empowering Doctors through Technology

NUH also presented the results of its Great Epic Transformation (GET) program at the World Hospital Congress, designed to enhance the efficiency of healthcare professionals through personalized electronic medical record (EMR) workflows. Post-training, specialists observed a 10.2% reduction in time spent managing EMRs, translating to more than 33 saved hours per physician annually.

These efficiency gains have significant financial implications, valued at over S$91 million annually across various medical and surgical specialties. Furthermore, the program is set to be expanded to allied health professionals and pharmacists by the end of 2026.

About National University Hospital

Established in 1985, the National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's premier university hospital and a cornerstone of the National University Health System, catering to over a million patients annually. With its commitment to integrating teaching, research, and healthcare, NUH continues to lead in various specialties, including pioneering pediatric transplant programs. You can learn more about their initiatives and services by visiting their official site: nuh.com.sg.

By championing sustainability and innovative healthcare solutions, NUH sets a benchmark in global healthcare practices, paving the way for a greener future in the medical field.