Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government, has completed a joint monitoring tour of the Gwanda provincial and United Bulawayo hospitals, where a Solar-for-Health programme is being fully implemented.
In a statement on Thursday, the UNDP Zimbabwe said the programme is being coordinated by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion and supported by various Government agencies including the Office of the President and
Cabinet (M&E Directorate), Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, and the Department of Public Works—and the Global Fund.
“The visits confirmed strong progress on Solar-for-Health investments designed to keep essential clinical services running reliably,” said the UNDP in a statement.
“The partners verified that priority clinical services—including maternity wards, operating theatres, intensive care units (ICUs), and cold-chain facilities—are receiving dependable power.
“In addition, end-to-end checks of priority circuits were completed, and partners agreed on targeted enhancements to further secure uninterrupted power for lifesaving services.”
At the Gwanda Provincial Hospital, approximately 120 photovoltaic panels, a 30-kW inverter, and 24 batteries were installed, giving priority to the maternity and pharmacy blocks through clearly designated clinical loads.
The organisation said water security advances are also underway for the establishment of a purification plant to safely integrate borehole water into hospital mains and reinforce infection prevention and control.
With respect to United Bulawayo Hospitals the commissioning of a grid-tied solar plant with an estimated output of 300 kW will be carried out soon.
“This will boost the reserved capacity for theatres, ICU, and wards through completed load-splitting. Procurement is well advanced—about 70 percent of electrical-integration materials are on hand—with remaining works scheduled within a concise installation
window once clearances are aligned,” said the UNDP.
“Remote monitoring is being set up so hospital teams can visualise performance and respond proactively from day one. Financing coordination is progressing to leverage available Ministry of Health budget space and accelerate final commissioning.”
