Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud has appealed to partners to support hospitals with alternative power sources to complement what the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) provides.

She said this on Tuesday at Salima District Hospital when she received a solar power plant and assorted medical equipment valued at $1.8 million (about K1.8 billion) from the Japanese Government and World Food Programme (WFP).

Said Daud: “We know that Escom power is yet to reach all health facilities despite ongoing efforts through rural electrification scheme to increase access to power.

Salima District Hospital official explains how the system works

“Again, we experience frequent power interruptions since the floods damaged Kapichira Hydro Power Station last year in Chikwawa. So, power outages are detrimental to the delivery of life saving services.”

She said the donation of two refrigerated containers, four generators and three refrigerated vehicles for Extended Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Malawi will improve immunisation services in the district.

Japanese Ambassador Yoichi Oya expressed optimism that the equipment would help to improve the logistics system for vaccines.

He said Covid-19 and cholera have undermined government’s efforts to provide health care to its citizens.

Meanwhile, WFP deputy country director Simon Denhere indicated that they received a grant in 2022 from the

Japanese Government to strategically work together to fight Covid-19 with other partners in sub-Saharan Africa.

Salima District Hospital environmental health officer Reuben Chikadza said the solar system will help the hospital save money on electricity bills while the refregerators will improve immunisation programmes in remote areas in the district.

The post Salima District Hospital gets power boost first appeared on The Nation Online.