EPSOM ROTARY FUNDS SOLAR UPGRADE

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A generous grant from Epsom Rotary enabled a much-needed upgrade for the solar power at The AMECA Health Centre, Chilaweni.

Solar power is an essential component of our holistic approach for the sustainable provision of quality healthcare and maternity services in this large catchment community, where AMECA constructed a Primary Health Centre and maternity unit.

AMECA funded the delivery of mains power to the village in 2017, when the original primary healthcare clinic was constructed. Solar power was required, since mains power delivery is extremely unreliable in Malawi, with frequent power cuts of up to 18 hours and sometimes days!! Lack of power is a part of daily life and is unlikely to improve anytime in the near future.

Solar power was originally installed at the maternity unit to ensure that the maternity staff can run oxygen concentrators and suction machines for mothers and newborn, when required. It is essential that the maternity clinic can run with 24-hour power delivery. An oxygen concentrator is required to deliver high flow oxygen when required, for mothers and newborn. Bottled oxygen is unaffordable and unsustainable; the distance of the maternity clinic to a facility which can refill oxygen cannisters made this option unworkable. Suction machines are required to clear airways in newborn infants.

Six years on, maternity staff report: “Due to Escom power outages and faults we rely so much on the solar for light as well as the use of fridge which we use to store medication like Oxytocin. Solar is also used on the resuscitation machine as well as oxygen machines. With the batteries running out most of the time we face the challenge that we have no power mostly during the nighttime, which makes it difficult for provision of service to our clients as well as babies who require some of the crucial management in cases of asphyxia or preterm babies.”

We were also approached by staff from the main Outpatients building, with a request for some solar backup, who quoted: “It is also important for OPD to have solar power, to ensure continuity of services during power outages. OPD relies on electricity for lighting, charging devices, using diagnostic equipment and supporting emergency care. Without back up solar power services are disrupted which affects patient care and safety.”

AMECA was aware that lead/acid batteries are cheaper than the new Lithium batteries. However, lithium batteries have 5 times the longevity and it therefore seems more cost effective and prudent to undertake this option, rather than to install cheaper batteries.