As part of implementing its annual plan aimed at developing national cadres and promoting continuous professional development, the Rehabilitation, Employment, and Follow-up Unit at the College of Nursing, University of Baghdad, organized a training activity titled “Sustainability and Building Future Healthcare Leaders,” attended by a group of faculty members and students.
The activity was presented by Prof. Dr. Hakima Shaker Hassan, who reviewed several key awareness and strategic themes addressing the fundamental dimensions of sustainability in the healthcare sector. Foremost among these was environmental sustainability and fostering the concept of green hospitals by empowering leaders to conduct environmental audits, reduce the carbon footprint of health facilities, manage medical waste safely, and rationalize energy and water consumption. In addition, economic and operational sustainability was highlighted through leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics technologies to forecast needs, optimize medical supply chains, and prevent financial and material waste. Furthermore, social and human sustainability was emphasized by focusing on combating burnout among medical staff and building flexible, psychologically safe work environments that support long-term talent retention.
The event also addressed strategies for building future healthcare leaders by integrating healthcare management, environmental health, and crisis management courses into educational curricula as an essential part of preparing nursing and medical students. It highlighted developing strategic thinking skills to anticipate health crises and formulate emergency plans, alongside enhancing evidence-based decision-making skills using health data to minimize operational and financial waste.
The organization of this training activity aligns with the College’s commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by enhancing the quality of health services and sustainable preventive care, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through curriculum development and qualifying young cadres, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by improving the work environment and retaining talent, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through managing medical waste and reducing waste, SDG 13 (Climate Action) by encouraging green hospitals and reducing the carbon footprint of health facilities, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening cooperation and follow-up among the academic institution, graduates, and healthcare organizations.
