Paras Health’s Dr Dharminder Nagar wins Global Health Leader Award at 10th IHW Summit

New Delhi: Dr. Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director of Paras Health was recognized for his groundbreaking initiatives in integrating sustainability into healthcare practices, at the 10th Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Summit in Dubai. 

Dr. Nagar delivered a powerful message on healthcare’s responsibility to mitigate environmental damage highlighting the sector’s contribution to environmental degradation and calling for immediate action.

“Healthcare, while saving lives, is also contributing to one of the greatest challenges of our time—environmental degradation,” Dr. Nagar stated while accepting the Global Health Leader Award from Dr. Harsh Vardhan, former Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and Amruta Fadnavis, banker and social activist. He emphasized that healthcare institutions must prioritize sustainability, saying, “It’s time we take responsibility and make sustainability central to everything we do.”

The Global Health Leader Award celebrated Dr. Nagar’s efforts to expand accessible healthcare across India, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, while ensuring eco-friendly practices are embedded within the industry. He noted that Paras Health has implemented paperless electronic medical records and achieved LEED Gold certification for its 450-bed hospital in Kanpur.

During the Summit’s ‘Sustainability Hour,’ Dr. Nagar urged the healthcare sector to address its growing environmental footprint, specifically pointing to the industry’s reliance on single-use plastics and waste management practices. “We are not only working to make quality healthcare accessible in underserved regions, but we are committed to making it sustainable,” he said. “Healthcare must reduce its carbon footprint. At Paras Health, we are committed to sustainable practices, from waste management to energy efficiency.”

Dr. Nagar also discussed the distinct challenges faced by healthcare providers in smaller cities. “In many tier 2 and tier 3 cities, even basic waste disposal systems are lacking. But at Paras Health, we ensure that sustainable practices are integrated into every hospital we build. Whether it’s minimizing medical waste, reducing single-use plastics, or implementing energy-efficient solutions, we are committed to setting a new standard for eco-friendly healthcare,” he noted.

Paras Health, operating in six states including Patna, Panchkula, Ranchi, Udaipur, Kanpur, Srinagar, and Darbhanga, has been pivotal in bringing advanced medical services to underserved regions. The hospital network specializes in Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, and Oncology, aiming to bridge the healthcare gap in smaller cities.

Dr. Nagar’s recognition at the IHW Summit underscores Paras Health’s role as a leader in sustainable healthcare, setting an example for global healthcare institutions by balancing environmental responsibility with the expansion of medical services in underserved areas.

The IHW Summit also honored other notable figures, including Jack Sim, Founder of the World Toilet Organization, and Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International Pvt Ltd., further emphasizing the growing global focus on health and sustainability.