Japan Invests in Solar Power for Salima District Hospital

  • At the presentation, Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud described the investment as a huge milestone for the hospital.
  • The hospital was losing drugs as most were getting spoiled without cooling facilities.

Salima District Hospital has been equipped with a high-powered solar system plant donated by the People’s Republic of Japan to ease power challenges that have been crippling the delivery of health services. The official commissioning was made through World Food Programme (WFP). At present, Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud described the investment as a huge milestone for the hospital, saying the availability of adequate power is key to delivering quality health services.

Daud said, “Any functional health facility requires power for the cold chain management, especially at the expanded programme for immunization facilities and all the technologies in use at the health facilities of which diagnostic medical and ICT equipment are key.”

On his part, the Ambassador of Japan to Malawi, Yoichi Oya said the donation is part of his country’s commitment to providing cold-chain equipment and improving the logistics system for vaccines. He said, “Salima District, being an area affected by cholera, needed our support in addressing power challenges. The solar system and SDD refrigerators will go a long way in addressing some challenges.” He then commended WFP for its role and continued support in emergency health response, saying they facilitated the donation process with their expertise.

Chief environmental health officer for Salima District Health Office, Reuben Chakhadza, said due to power challenges, the hospital was losing drugs as most of them were getting spoiled in the absence of cooling facilities. He noted that the solar system donated was timely and would be used in the laboratory, pharmacy and high-dependency unit (HDU).

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