Changi General Hospital (CGH) has become the first hospital in Singapore to completely eliminate the use of desflurane, a potent greenhouse gas, from all surgical procedures. This initiative, part of CGH’s broader sustainability efforts, has resulted in a 99.4% reduction in desflurane usage since 2019, cutting approximately 895 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
Desflurane, previously favoured for its clinical advantages, has a global warming potential 20 times greater than its alternative, sevoflurane. The hospital’s Department of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care initiated the reduction process in 2019, gradually transitioning to alternative gases through staff education and changes in clinical practice. By 2025, desflurane usage had dropped from 242 litres to just 1.44 litres, with the gas no longer used since September 2025.
In addition to desflurane, CGH has significantly reduced nitrous oxide emissions, another greenhouse gas. Research revealed that up to 73% of nitrous oxide was lost through pipeline leakage. The hospital switched to portable gas cylinders, reducing procurement by 91.4% and confirming that most prior procurement was wasted.
CGH’s sustainability efforts extend beyond anaesthetic gases. The hospital has upcycled 178kg of retired scrubs into reusable theatre caps, reducing CO₂ emissions by 5,041kg. Food waste initiatives have further cut 57,518kg of CO₂ emissions annually. CEO Ng Kee Chong emphasised that these efforts reflect CGH’s commitment to responsible healthcare, linking patient health with environmental sustainability.
