The Global Summit on Climate Change Mitigation – Healthcare Perspective, organised by the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) and hosted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Tamil Nadu State Branch in collaboration with SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, was successfully conducted on 5 February 2026. The summit brought together national and international healthcare leaders, policymakers, academicians, engineers, environmental experts, hospital administrators, and students to address the growing intersection of climate change and healthcare.
Climate change continues to pose serious and multidimensional threats to global health systems, influencing disease patterns, healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, and the well-being of vulnerable populations. Recognising the need for healthcare systems to play a proactive role in climate mitigation and adaptation, the summit was designed as an interdisciplinary and action-oriented platform. The focus remained on translating global climate commitments into practical, scalable, and sustainable healthcare solutions across both public and private sectors.
Objectives of the Summit
The summit aimed to:
● Examine the impact of climate change on healthcare systems and public health
● Identify practical mitigation strategies within hospitals and health institutions
● Promote green and climate-smart hospital operations and infrastructure
● Integrate climate change into healthcare leadership, education, and governance
● Foster collaboration among medical, engineering, environmental, and policy stakeholders
● Empower students and young professionals to actively engage in climate action
The summit witnessed wide and diverse participation from Senior clinicians, faculty members, and medical students, Hospital owners, administrators, nursing leaders, and CEOs, Public health professionals and healthcare policymakers, Engineering, architecture, and environmental science faculty and students, Representatives from NGOs, civil society organisations, and sustainability advocates, National and international experts from the Commonwealth network
This cross-sectoral participation ensured holistic discussions and meaningful knowledge exchange.
The programme commenced with delegate registration, followed by a ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag by Dr. S. Arulrhaj, the Commonwealth Flag by Prof. Dr. J. A. Jayalal, President, CMA, and the IMA Flag by Dr. B. Sridhar, President, IMA Tamil Nadu State Branch. An Olympic torch procession symbolised peace, sustainability, and global cooperation.
The summit featured five comprehensive scientific sessions:
Session 1: Green Hospital Operations – Delivering Efficient, Sustainable Care Every Day
Focused on energy and water efficiency, waste management practices, cost benefits of green initiatives, leadership roles, accreditation frameworks, and workforce engagement.
Session 2: Green & Climate-Smart Hospital Buildings – Design, Retrofit, and Resilience
Addressed climate-responsive hospital design, retrofitting of existing facilities, safety standards, renewable energy integration, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure resilience.
Session 3: Sustainable Climate Mitigation Policies for Resilient Health Systems
Discussed policy frameworks covering circular economy approaches, sustainable clinical services, financing instruments, community engagement, accountability mechanisms, and scaling best practices.
Session 4: Climate Change Governance in Healthcare – Leadership, Accountability and Global Pathways
Explored governance models, leadership responsibilities, regulatory mechanisms, global best practices, ethics, equity, and One Health perspectives.
Session 5: Leadership, Education and the Way Forward for Climate-Resilient Health Systems
Focused on leadership development, integration of climate change into medical education, research and innovation, workforce responsibility, partnerships, and actionable roadmaps.
Each session was moderated by eminent leaders and featured nationally and internationally renowned panellists.
Student engagement was highlighted through a thematic skit and group dance on climate change, performed by medical students. Student-led competitions and interactive activities enhanced awareness and strengthened youth participation in climate leadership.
Policy Statement Release and Awards
A key highlight of the summit was the presentation and formal release of the Climate Change Mitigation Policy Statement, with collective affirmation by CMA, IMA leadership, and institutional heads. The summit souvenir was also officially released.
The Investiture and Global Awards Ceremony honoured:
● Global Ambassador for Climate Change
● Youth Ambassador Award recipients
● Individuals and institutions recognised for outstanding contributions
A keynote address on ethical responsibilities in climate change mitigation reinforced the moral and professional obligations of healthcare leaders.
The summit concluded with the CMA Convocation Ceremony, which included an academic procession, conferment of CMA Convocation Honours, charge to the convocates, prize distribution for online and onsite competitions organised by MSN, JDN, and IMA Tamil Nadu, followed by the National Anthem and group photographs.
Outcomes and Impact
The summit resulted in:
● Strengthened awareness of climate change mitigation in healthcare
● Policy-level commitments and actionable frameworks for hospitals
● Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration
● Increased student and youth engagement in climate leadership
● Reinforcement of healthcare institutions as critical stakeholders in climate action
Distinguished Dignitaries and Eminent Speakers Include,
Chief Guest
● Hon’ble Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member, National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Key Dignitaries and Senior Leadership
● Prof. Dr. J. A. Jayalal – President, Commonwealth Medical Association
● Dr. Murugaraj Rajathurai – Immediate Past President, CMA
● Dr. Mugambi Joy K – Secretary General, CMA, Tanzania
● Dr. Colin Abel – Treasurer, CMA
● Dr. B. Sridhar – President, IMA Tamil Nadu State Branch
● Dr. K. M. Abul Hasan – Chairman, Hospital Board of India
● Dr. T. N. Ravisankar – Past President, IMA Tamil Nadu State Branch
● Dr. M. Thiraviam Mohan – State Secretary, IMA Tamil Nadu State Branch
● Prof. Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar – Pro Vice-Chancellor (Medical & Health Sciences), SRM MCH & RC
● Prof. Dr. R. Jayanthi – Dean (Medical), SRM MCH & RC
International Panelists
● Dr. Durgavasini Devanath – Climate & Healthcare Lead, Climate Governance, Malaysia
● Dr. Sumathi Luxman – Convenor, CMA Climate Change Mitigation Subcommittee, United Kingdom
● Dr. Mugambi Joy K – Secretary General, CMA, Tanzania
National Panelists
● Thiru. G. Sundarrajan – Member, Governing Council on Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu
● Prof. Dr. A. Ramachandran – Emeritus Professor, Anna University, Chennai
● Dr. G. Jerard Maria Selvam – Additional Director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu
● Dr. Vidhya Venugopal – Professor, SRIHER, Chennai
● Mr. S. Senthur Pari – President, ExNoRa International Foundation
● Mr. K. Vedavyas – General Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Tamil Nadu
● Dr. S. Asokan – Director and CEO, GEM Hospital & Research Centre
● Dr. P. Praveen Raj – CEO and Senior Consultant GI Surgeon, GEM Hospitals
● Dr. Ashok Thiakarajan – CEO, Arunai Medical College Hospital
● Prof. Vivek Inder Kochhar – Vice Chancellor, Takshashila University
● Prof. Dr. Nihar Ranjan Biswas – Vice Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
● Dr. Thanigai Vendhan Moorrthy – CEO, Bharath Medical College Hospital
● Dr. Annamalai R – Managing Director, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences
● Dr. Anuradha Pichumani – Executive Director, Sree Ranga Hospital; Principal Assessor, NABH
● Mr. Riyaz Mohamed Maraikayer – CEO and CTO, SEAPOL Energy Private Limited
● Mr. P. Sivakumar – Managing Director, Shriram Solar; President, TN Solar Energy Developer Association
● Mr. Siddharth S. Kumar – Co-founder and CEO, Eartheon
● Dr. Stephen Mathew – Sringeri Sharadha Equitas Cancer & Multispecialty Hospital
The summit was successfully organised under the leadership of the Indian Medical Association, Tamil Nadu State Branch, and SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, among other prominent Organising Committee leaders, including Dr. V. Sathyanarayanan, Associate Dean – Student Affairs, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, whose contribution played a key role in the coordination and execution of the programme.
The Global Summit on Climate Change Mitigation – Healthcare Perspective successfully achieved its objectives by fostering informed dialogue, policy alignment, and actionable strategies. The summit reaffirmed the healthcare sector’s critical role in safeguarding planetary and public health while advancing resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare systems for the future.
