HELP

About HELP

The Health and Environment Leadership Platform (H.E.L.P.) is a The Health and Environment Leadership Platform (H.E.L.P.) is a network uniting hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, medical associations, research institutions, and health professionals to
champion sustainable, eco-friendly, and climate-resilient healthcare.

Established in 2017 by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), H.E.L.P. serves as the India Chapter of HCWH’s Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) initiative. GGHH is a worldwide movement of over 2000+ members in 80+ countries, representing more than 70,000 hospitals and health systems, all committed to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting healthier communities. 

Through this platform, H.E.L.P. strives to:

  • Minimize the environmental and energy burden of health systems
  • Advocate for collaborative policies addressing the health impacts of environmental pollution
  • Foster global connections where members meet, teach, and learn from each other’s experiences
  • Showcase leadership in building climate-resilient health facilities and systems

Today, the H.E.L.P. network proudly consists of 260 plus members and continues to grow step by step, strengthening its collective impact across India.

Mission & Vision

H.E.L.P. envisions a healthcare system in India that actively reduces its environmental footprint while promoting public and environmental health. By educating, engaging, and empowering its members, the platform supports the transition to sustainable, climate-smart healthcare.

H.E.L.P. is committed to:

  • Equipping hospitals and healthcare organizations with innovative tools and resources to measure environmental impact and create actionable plans through the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) platform
  • Connecting institutions with peers, experts, and global networks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange
  • Guiding hospitals in their climate and sustainability journey through training, capacity building, compliance, research, communication, and partnerships
  • Documenting and sharing best practices to advance sustainability, strengthen environmental health, and build climate-resilient healthcare systems.

Objectives of the H.E.L.P Network Institutions

Reduce the environmental footprint and energy burden of health facilities.

Empower healthcare institutions to lead in environment and climate-resilient sustainable healthcare in India.

Advocate collaborative, evidence-based policies addressing the health impacts of environmental pollution.

Connect members globally for shared learning, teaching, and experience exchange in environmental health.

Build capacity of healthcare and allied professionals for sustainable, resilient healthcare delivery.

Engage communities to mitigate climate-related health hazards.

Focus of the H.E.L.P Network Institutions

The H.E.L.P network of institutions will focus on:

Enhancing economically viable environmental and climate sustainability practices in health care sector

Promoting equitable climate smart healthcare to all sections of the society through best practices

Being Environment smart in reducing carbon footprint and promoting environmental health

Efficiently delivering health care that minimizes waste, environmental pollution and reduces climate change

Benefits of H.E.L.P Network Institutions

Membership in the H.E.L.P network is significant advantages, including integration into a global ecosystem dedicated to high-quality, sustainable healthcare. This collaboration provides members hospitals with exclusive access to a wealth of documented experiences and specialized tools, fostering continuous improvement and innovation.
The H.E.L.P network provides a mechanism for members to measure their environmental outcomes and report on their achievements and progress in achieving good environmental health. The network offers tools and resources to facilitate the implementation of sustainability practices by hospitals, healthcare centers and health systems. These lead to lowering of operating costs of hospitals fostering more innovation.

Key benefits of joining the H.E.L.P network include:
  • Access to resources

    Member hospitals benefit from tools that can measure environmental success and find documented best practices available only within the network, ensuring they stay at the forefront of sustainable healthcare practices.

  • Expert Guidance

    Continuous support and advice from a panel of esteemed experts in health and environmental sustainability help institutions navigate challenges and implement effective solutions.

  • Collaborative Learning

    Being part of a larger ecosystem allows for shared learning and collaboration, enhancing the overall quality and sustainability of healthcare services across the network.

  • Innovative Practices

    Membership in the network fosters an environment of innovation, where institutions can pilot and refine new sustainable healthcare practices before wider implementation.

  • Enhanced Reputation

    Affiliation with a prestigious network dedicated to high-quality and sustainable healthcare can boost an institution’s reputation among patients, partners, and the community.

  • Reduction in Operating Costs

    By adopting climate-friendly and environmentally healthy practices, hospitals and health establishments can reduce operational costs. The cost savings that changes can provide over time may enable a healthcare provider to invest in new health promoting measures or services.

In summary, the H.E.L.P network not only provides its member institutions with essential resources and expert support but also fosters a collaborative and innovative environment aimed at achieving sustainable healthcare excellence.