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Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter
THE Government’s quest to widen use of solar energy in the health sector has received a major boost with corporates now getting involved in the funding of alternative power as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Last year, Cabinet approved a model for the installation of solar energy at 640 health facilities across the country to counter effects of power outages that have been disrupting service delivery.
Cabinet also implored the utilisation of public private partnerships (PPPs) in boosting the country’s health services which are being configured towards the attainment of best international practices.
Receiving a donation of US$30 000 from a local company aimed at giving alternative to processes of storing and transportation of blood at National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ), the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro thanked the corporate world for its intervention.
Dr Mangwiro, himself a specialist medical professional with over 30 years experience, also highlighted the importance of blood in saving lives.
“Blood is important. We have accidents where people lose two to three litres in a short space of time and we need blood to quickly save lives. Blood is the only tissue that carries oxygen around and gives it to the central organs.”
“As Government we believe renewable energy is the way to go. We have rolled out a massive project to ensure we have a solar system in all our rural clinics and district hospitals,” said Dr Mangwiro.
It was also good for the environment and reduced the electricity bills for blood banks.
“Solar allows us to have more medicines and blood distributed all over the country. We want to move the standards of our health system towards 2030,” said Dr Mangwiro.
First Capital Bank Limited managing director Mr Ciaran McSharry handed over the donation of US$30 000 and expressed hope the contribution would boost the project. Mr McSharry also implored other corporates to come in saying it was imperative for companies to support this initiative.
Mr Patrick Devenish of Coll Solar said the system they had designed for NBSZ would ensure continuity of energy supply in the blood bank in the event of power cuts.
Online Reporter