- GIZ is providing 2kWp solar systems to 30 Community Health Planning Services in Ghana.
- About 11 have already been installed.
- The systems will improve rural health service provision.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) is set to provide 30 health facilities in rural communities in Ghana’s Eastern Region with standalone solar systems. While 11 of the 30 communities have already had the 2kWp standalone solar system installed in their Community Health Planning Service (CHPS) compound, the remaining communities should receive systems early next year. Each 2kWp standalone solar system costs about €300,000.
GIZ believes that the solar systems will enable round-the-clock health services provision to patients, especially pregnant women and children. The 2kWp system comprises six solar panels and can power a refrigerator to store essential vaccines, charge mobile phones, power bulbs, fans and television at the health facilities. The systems are being installed as part of the GIZ’s Green People’s Energy Sector Project, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Mr Rafael Wiese, Project Manager of Green People’s Energy, noted that the project’s objective is to utilise clean energy to improve health conditions in rural areas. Mr Wiese also added that the project provides technical training to the Ghana Health Service technical officers to enable them to operate the systems. As a result, local health workers have reported an increase in the number of patients attended to daily. Mr Michael Dzahene, a Midwife at Dim-Sakabo, noted that they no longer perform night birth deliveries via torchlight or refer patients to other facilities due to inadequate lighting.