Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia

05/06/2026

Public and planetary health has long been the price we pay for our overdependence on fossil fuels. Today, on , let’s talk about the tools we can use to protect our health and the environment ⚒️💡

In the Philippines, Health Impact Assessments are a crucial part in approving or disproving national development projects that are environmentally-critical and health-sensitive. Fossil fuel projects, like coal-fired power plants fall under this category.

The HIA process ensures that any health risks are identified and addressed before they even begin. However, this tool remains severely underutilized in energy planning and lacks proper implementation.

Health data is powerful and must inform energy decisions. 📣

Recognizing this, our team has been working with partners from government, civil society, and communities to advance climate action, call for stronger Health Impact Assessments (HIA), and empower health professionals for a sustainable future.

By strengthening HIAs and mobilizing health professionals, the project helps ensure that energy decisions protect both people and the planet.

Learn more about the CHAMPP Project (Climate-Health Action for Mainstreamed Policies and Health Professionals) at asia.noharm.org/CHAMPP

03/06/2026

READ: What if the system designed to heal us is also quietly contributing to what makes us sick? It sounds contradictory, but it’s true.

The connection between fossil fuels, health, and affordability is visible in our air, our hospitals, our bills and our daily lives.

We can continue to absorb the rising costs of a system that makes us sick, or we can build one that protects health at its core. That means governments putting people before pollution and polluters, accelerating a just transition to renewable energy, rethinking our dependence on plastics, and ending the prioritization of fossil fuel expansion over public health.

Read the full article: https://350.org/out-of-pocket-the-real-cost-of-fossil-fuels-on-our-health-and-healthcare-systems

➡️ It cost $250 billion for one year’s plastic-related diseases in the US. You paid for that, whether out of pocket or through record-high premiums.

📄 In this guest blog by Health Care Without Harm (noharm.org), the link between fossil fuels and our worsening health is made clear.

⛓️‍💥 Medical supply chains use oil and gas. Plastics are made of them – and as they’re made, they release toxic chemicals and microplastics. In fact, if the global health sector were a country, it’d be the 5th largest source of pollution.

🌪️ Fossil fuels’ prevalence creates hotter weather and exacerbates extreme weather events, which sends more people to already-overwhelmed hospitals. Air pollution contributes to heart disease and cancer.

🏥 Responsible healthcare would look like switching to decentralized, renewable energy. Or transforming supply chains so they're not frozen by global conflict. Or stopping shareholders from being in charge of your health.

‼️ Hospitals and health workers can lead change, but they can’t do it alone. We need to shift political will, and we've already started. Head to the link here to help: https://to.350.org/iopaf

01/06/2026

This International Children’s Day, get to know the sustainability story of Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) — a pediatric hospital and the first Global Green and Healthy Hospitals member from Cambodia 🇰🇭

Children in Cambodia are growing up in a world already affected by climate change. Healthcare facilities have a responsibility to think not only about treatment, but also about the environments that support long-term health.

AHC's approach focuses on making practical zero waste options easier to use in everyday hospital life.

Their story demonstrates the impact you can make when you move beyond individual actions and into hospital-wide systems change towards environmental sustainability 🏥

👉 Read their story at asia.noharm.org/child-health-sustainability
🌏 Learn more about the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals network at greenhospitals.org

21/05/2026

19/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE: Confronting the Plastic and Waste Crises in Southeast Asia: Systemic Drivers, Impacts, and Policy Imperatives

"In response to the waste, plastic pollution, and associated triple planetary crisis in Southeast Asia, and to systemic fossil fuel dependency, it is imperative that ASEAN governments correct course to safeguard our people and environment.

Furthermore, transitioning from fossil fuels and their derivatives – petrochemicals and plastics – protects the region long-term from economic instability, future conflicts and supply disruptions."

Read the full statement at act.gp/aseanleaders

📣 CALLING ALL SOUTHEAST ASIAN ORGANIZATIONS: Support the call to ASEAN leaders to end the plastic crisis and break free from fossil fuels!

Southeast Asia is facing a growing plastic and waste crisis. Landfill collapses and fires in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand show that our waste systems can no longer carry the burden of too much plastic, especially single-use plastics.

Plastic is also a fossil fuel problem. More than 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, and its production harms people, health, livelihoods, and the climate.

Communities should not pay the price for a crisis created by big, greedy corporations. ASEAN leaders must reduce plastic production, support a just transition to people-centered solutions like reuse, hold plastic polluters accountable, and move Southeast Asia away from fossil fuel dependence.

As ASEAN leaders meet in the Philippines this week, we call on organizations across Southeast Asia to stand with communities and demand action. Support the call 👉🏾 act.gp/aseanleaders

14/05/2026

Health Care Without Harm is going to the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026 in Singapore! 🇸🇬

Catch our team this May 18-20, 2026 for the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026 — an annual global gathering that will bring together philanthropists, policymakers, innovators, and business leaders to drive multi-sector solutions for environmental and social challenges.

We’re excited to connect and collaborate towards scaling high-impact innovations for Asia’s health sector and beyond! 🌏

👉🏽 Learn more: https://philanthropyasiaalliance.org/events/info/philanthropy-asia-summit-2026

12/05/2026

Partners for climate action and healthcare sustainability 🤝🏽

2025 was a year of scaling up the health sector’s work in safeguarding public health and the environment 🌱 As we look back on the wins and lessons learned from the year before, we offer our deepest gratitude to our partners in the movement for their dedication.

May we continue to march forward for a healthier and just world 🌏

📘 Read our 2025 Annual Report at asia.noharm.org/annualreport2025

07/05/2026

Doctors for a healthy planet! 🌱🩺

We’re honored to be part of the Philippine College of Physicians’ 56th Annual Congress in Manila, Philippines! Thank you to all the P*P members who dropped by our booth, engaged with us about our collective work on climate and health, and supported our fundraising initiative!

A special thank you to Dr. Donna Hornilla, Dr. Sheila May Sonza, and Dr. Danilo Baldemor for sharing their insights on climate action and stewardship 💡

P*P is a dedicated member organization of the RISE Southeast Asia Alliance for Health and Climate — a regional alliance of healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing health equity and climate resilience.

👉🏽 To learn more about the RISE Alliance, visit: asia.noharm.org/rise-south-east-asia-alliance-health-and-climate

*P56Evolves *PTransformational *P56thAnnualCongress

30/04/2026

Catch our quarter 1 recap in our newsletter! 📬🎉

Our first quarter was filled with growth, collaboration, and impact. From welcoming new leadership and celebrating important milestones to strengthening partnerships and advancing planetary health advocacy, the first few months of 2026 have continued to reaffirm the role of the health sector in building an equitably sustainable future.

Check your inboxes to read all about our 1st quarter updates or visit bit.ly/SEA-Newsletter2026Q1

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