Doctors call for sustainable approach to healthcare

Two Cayman-based physicians have said there is an urgent need for a more connected, preventive, and sustainable approach to healthcare — one that recognises the inextricable link between human health and the health of the planet.

The physicians, Dr Seshadri Pramodh, Consultant Endocrinologist at Integra Healthcare, and Dr David Kwinter, Family Medicine and Urgent Care Physician at Doctors Hospital, were featured speakers at the 2025 Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference. The conference theme: Healthy People. Healthy Planet. A Call to Action for Sustainable Healthcare, presented both doctors with the chance to share their views on the topic.

Dr Pramodh spoke specifically on the intertwined crisis of metabolic diseases and climate change and examined the shared roots of two global challenges — the rise of metabolic diseases such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, and the escalating effects of climate change.

“These are not separate issues,” he explained. “The way we produce, consume, and waste food harms both the planet and our bodies.”

He highlighted that global food systems contribute to around 30% of the world’s breaches of planetary boundaries, emphasising the need for systemic transformation. A worldwide shift toward the planetary health diet — one that balances nutritional adequacy, cultural relevance, and environmental sustainability — could prevent up to 15 million deaths annually, he said.

From a clinical perspective, Dr Pramodh discussed modern strategies for managing obesity and Type 2 Diabetes through lifestyle modification, evidence-based medications, and a renewed focus on preserving muscle mass to support long-term metabolic health.

“At Integra Healthcare, our goal is to treat the whole person, not just the disease,” he said. “By addressing the lifestyle and environmental factors behind metabolic illness, we can improve outcomes for individuals while contributing to a healthier planet.”

Dr David Kwinter’s presentation, on why family medicine matters most, reinforced the theme of sustainability through prevention, continuity, and community-based care. Drawing from his experience in both the U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems, Dr Kwinter highlighted the growing prevalence of chronic diseases — from early-onset colon cancer to hypertension — and underscored how long-term relationships with a family physician could improve outcomes and reduce costs.

“Effective preventive medicine is required for the sustainability of any healthcare system.” he noted. “By focusing on healthy habits, consistent follow-up, and early intervention, we can reverse disease and preserve health for the long term.”