Zimbabwean Government supports solar installations at all its rural clinics to reduce challenges of power cuts and recurring costs associated with generator use; a senior Government official has said. This is particularly in provision of maternal health services .
Media made a tour to Beatrice Rural Health Centre. This is one of the 35 rural clinics piloting the solar system. According to Dr. Bernard Madzima, Family Health director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, at night it becomes difficult for midwives to assist mothers to deliver when there is no proper lighting. “Previous assessments have shown that most generators were no longer functional. In cases where they are still functioning, the clinic might not have fuel to run them,” said Dr Madzima.
Solar system intervention
“A solar system would be the best intervention to ensure reliable power in rural clinics. Bearing in mind limited financial resources at most of the clinics,”Dr Madzima suggested.
“This innovation falls under the low cost, but economic intervention. We can adopt this as a strategy for the whole country. Considering that we have abundance of sunshine in the country, this is something we are willing to look at and find ways of financing installations at all our clinics,” he asserted.
Dr Bolan Madede, Beatrice Rural Health Centre medical officer agreed that clinics were finding it difficult to assist mothers to deliver at night. “In most instances, the midwives make use of candles. These have either been bought by the clinic or by the expecting mother herself,” he said.
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“The solar system makes work easier for our health workers. This because lighting from a candle is very difficult to assist mothers to deliver. It is especially when there is need for suturing,” he further explained.
Mashonaland East is the first province to install the solar system. It is specifically for maternal health. The system was piloted by a local company, Zim Energy. It seeks to reduce maternal deaths and complications by providing lighting to all clinics.
“The solar suitcase comes with four LED lighting bulbs and charges cell phones. It also has LED headlamps that come with their own rechargeable batteries.” Zim Energy co-founder Mr Wadson Muchemwa said.
