Page 163 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Sustainable procurement in healthcare to address value chain

3.1. Post-training results

The results indicated that participants demonstrated
significant improvement in their awareness levels across
all six questions; 93% of participants understood that
sustainable procurement is beneficial; the responses of
30 questions were analyzed and the average score was
19.4/30 (64.7%) with a 95% confidence interval of 18.7–
20.1, suggesting moderate to strong understanding from
the program attended on sustainable procurement.
In addition, 87% of participants connected Greenhouse
gases (GHG) emissions (scopes 1, 2, and 3), with climate
change. Carbon footprint is defined by the emissions
of GHG caused within boundary of the organization
(Direct emission) and is measured as scope 1, Scope 2 is Figure 7. Responses to the question: “What is sustainable procurement?”
Abbreviation: ESG: Environment, social, and governance.
the indirect emissions caused by purchase of electricity/
steam which is generated elsewhere but consumed onsite
causing indirect emissions for organization. Scope 3 is environmental, and social issues connected with their
associated with value chain emissions from upstream and organizations and maintain performance.” This suggests
downstream requiring engagement with supply chain that participants have started recognizing the importance
upstream and downstream of the value chain associated of considering ESG factors when selecting vendors,
with the organization to take mitigation action. The results following the program.
showed 87% of the participants agreeing inventory of Moreover, 40% of participants concurred with the
carbon emissions under scope1, 2, and 3 is crucial and 68% procurement approach that involves supplier evaluation for
of participants believed that engaging vendors in climate ESG risks, coupled with contractual agreements, ensuring
risk management should be part of the solution. Regarding compliance with ESG standards. This underscores the
the benefits of sustainable procurement, participants increasing awareness among participants of the importance
highlighted cost saving (85%), risk mitigation in the supply of mitigating ESG risks throughout the procurement
chain (79%), and proper governance (92%). Likewise, 94% process.
of respondents supported the adoption of a sustainable Interestingly, 21% of participants favored the procurement
procurement policy, and 90% emphasized the need to
baseline supplier performance. practice of assessing supplier performance through on-site
audits, indicating a significant segment that values direct
3.2. Awareness of sustainable procurement verification of sustainability practices. Furthermore, 15%
of participants endorsed both procurement methods,
The present study observed that the CAHO masterclass underscoring their belief in the importance of cost-
program ignited the momentum for sustainable efficiency while maintaining quality standards. Notably,
procurement awareness in healthcare. Approximately 47 most participants demonstrated a solid grasp of sustainable
individuals joined the sustainable procurement session, procurement, particularly in areas such as policy, supplier
with all attendees fully participating in the consultation evaluation, and cost-quality balance. This understanding
through questionnaires. The respondents hailed from is a testament to their awareness of the comprehensive
diverse professional backgrounds across India, including considerations involved in sustainable procurement.
administrators, doctors, quality professionals, consultants,
management personnel, procurement specialists, facility Figure 8 depicts participants’ perceptions of
managers, professors, and students. Most participants implementing sustainable procurement for ESG benefits.
described sustainable procurement as: “Procurement, Indicating that sustainable procurement is an enabler for
where your hospital has come up with policy, procedures, the organization in reducing the environmental impacts
risk controls and suppliers, are provided with hand- and enhancing the social benefits.
holding to know how they contribute to achieving your
goals and make benefits” (Figure 7). This suggests that the 3.3. Environmental role of hospitals in climate risk
participants value sustainability efforts in the organization’s mitigation
procurement process. They also agreed with the statement: On assessing the opinions of hospital professionals on the
“Procurement from vendors who care for economic, role of hospitals in controlling climate change, 87% of them

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 155 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5663