Chronicle Editor
Yolanda Mlilo, Sunday News Reporter
BINGA District in Matabeleland North Province is experiencing significant improvements in healthcare delivery thanks to the solarisation project which has provided reliable power to its health centres ultimately enhancing the quality of medical services to the communities.
The project comes in the wake of a growing demand for power intensified by prolonged load-shedding and limited electricity access posing challenges to effective healthcare delivery.
The Government has, however, provided solar energy as a ready and clean alternative.
Acting District Medical Officer for Binga Dr Sibonginkosi Ncube told Sunday News in an interview that the solarisation project has come in hand with a good number of clinics having been solarised in the district.
“As Binga District, we have one district hospital, three rural hospitals, and 17 rural health facilities.”
She however said while the district hospital has undergone solarisation, it is currently non-operational due to the need for new batteries which are pending replacement.
“There are three rural hospitals that are all solarised and functioning. Of the 17 rural health facilities, one had a solar system installed last month but was unfortunately blown away by the heavy winds we experienced.”
Two newly constructed clinics also require solar power, with one clinic nearing completion.
“We have one clinic that is at 90 percent completion and, pending commissioning, it will require solar power again,” she said.
Regarding capacity and need, Dr Ncube noted, “The Binga Hospital solar system is 32kw, and the clinics are 5kw. The selection criteria were based on the need for electricity and the absence of backup power at that time. A district hospital, being larger than a rural hospital, is prioritised for solarisation, though all our facilities were solarised when possible.”
The clinics built after initial solarisation are among those lacking solar systems, with budget insufficiency also influencing the selection process.
Dr Ncube highlighted, “We have solar suitcases specifically designed for maternity facilities. Every hospital or clinic conducting deliveries is equipped with one of these solar suitcases.”
These solar suitcases provide power for three to four lights and feature long extension cords to reach other areas within the facility. They also include Doppler ultrasounds, allowing healthcare providers to monitor foetal heartbeats.
“Furthermore, the solar suitcases come with portable chargers for mobile phones, essential for contacting the district when needed,” Dr Ncube emphasized.
She continued, “Given the frequent power outages, these tools are vital. Most health systems are transitioning and solarisation has significantly aided this transition. For clinics without solar power, it becomes difficult to conduct deliveries in the evenings during power outages. We therefore usually limit the clinic’s activities to outpatient services.”
This challenge has consequently increased the distance women must travel to access facilities with power for deliveries.
She, however, noted that the strides made through solarisation in Binga District exemplify the potential for renewable energy to transform healthcare access and improve outcomes for pregnant women and families in the region.
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