IHH Annual Report 2018

Material Matter Why is it material? Sustainable Development Goal Our People ​ ​ Employee Health and Safety We believe that our ability to be truly sustainable is highly dependent on the safety, health and welfare of our people. Integrating and articulating occupational health and safety (OSH) measures throughout our value chain ensures a key aspect of sustainability relating to our social impact is addressed. Complying with the legal requirements relating to OSH, such as setting up OSH Committees and keeping a regular record of safety statistics in each of the countries we operate, sets the foundation of our OSH efforts. ​ Training and Development The development of meaningful and regular training programmes for our staff increases employee retention, job satisfaction and productivity. Moreover, the healthcare industry is an ever-changing field that requires extensive skills and training. At IHH, mentoring processes, training, development resources and a community of practice are built at the Group and hospital levels. The personal and professional development of our employees is indicative of the importance IHH places on the growth of its doctors, nurses, academics and other staff. ​ Our Organisation ​ ​ International Healthcare Services We have the expertise to serve the higher demands and diverse needs of international patients. Through IHH’s international healthcare services, we are able to provide access for thousands of patients to enhanced health services, thus improving the quality of life, as well as creating jobs, opportunities for cultural enrichment and technological advances within the community. ​ Cost- Effectiveness We recognise the benefits of cost-effectiveness in minimising administration and improving quality, accountability and accessibility to healthcare, and its relevance in the context of sustainability. The challenges are ongoing. These include balancing the high prices of drugs and the demand for patient-centred healthcare models, ensuring that the core processes of care remain of high quality and providing affordable healthcare that is cost-effective. Achieving this balance requires numerous stakeholders, multiple approaches and coordinated actions undertaken across various system components. ​ Emergency Preparedness Laboratory readiness and having a response plan for the rapid detection and containment of outbreaks of emerging and dangerous pathogens are critical aspects of our responsibility towards our patients, employees and the public. Our role in controlling such an outbreak is critical and if unprepared, can have a potential negative impact on all three aspects of sustainability, i.e. economic, environmental and social. Communication and creating awareness are important parts of a robust response plan. ​ Our Environment ​ ​ Waste Management Healthcare organisations have many environmental aspects that can directly or indirectly affect the community and the region in which they operate. The types of waste generated from our operations include hazardous and infectious waste, which can have a severe negative impact on the environment and community, if not treated or disposed properly. ​ Energy Efficiency Healthcare facilities are known to be among the most energy-intensive facilities. Without compromising on the health and safety of our operations and patients, we recognise the importance of managing IHH’s energy consumption. Measures that we have undertaken across all our hospitals include upgrading the HVAC systems, investing in more energy-efficient chillers and innovative technology, replacing compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) lighting with light emitting diodes (LED) and creating awareness of energy-saving practices. The benefits of such efforts can be seen in the form of cost-savings and a reduced impact on the environment. ​ Our Community ​ ​ Community Development We are committed to supporting the vulnerable sections of the community. Through our donations, community engagement activities and provision of pro bono healthcare services, we are able to cater to the medical needs and other needs of the community. Our efforts in this direction are towards building social resilience and sharing our knowledge and skills to improve public health. ​ 35 Strategic Report