Solar project resolves power problems in Malawian hospitals

A solar energy project, which is ensuring that patients at hospitals in Malawi are not compromised by power outages, is the latest healthcare supply chain solution delivered in the region by Resolve Solution Partners – an Imperial Logistics company.

As part of its plan to develop healthcare infrastructure in Malawi, the country’s Ministry of Health embarked on a US$ 3,7-million (R43,8 million) project to install solar energy at 85 health facilities nationwide.

“The Ministry of Health contracted non-profit  organisation, the Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM), to procure and install the solar panels. PFSCM awarded a subcontract to Resolve Solution Partners for the installation and a three-year maintenance programme,” explains Heinrich Strauss, MD at Resolve.

“This solar initiative aims to ensure the seamless delivery of healthcare services in the face of prolonged power outages currently being experienced in the country,” he states.

“District hospitals and health centres in remote areas of Malawi have been the worst affected by power outages,” Strauss notes. “Big city hospitals have been less affected, although they have had to use generators to maintain operations at times, which are costly to run.”

According to Malawi’s Ministry of Health, the goal of this solar project is to prioritise saving lives and curbing power disruptions, especially in key hospital sections like theatres, maternity wings, intensive care units and the section for children under the age of five.

The hospitals that are benefiting include Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Zomba Central Hospital and Mzuzu Central Hospital. Each of these facilities will be fitted with solar panels providing 100 kW of power.

In addition to installing the panels, panel arrays and photovoltaic systems, Resolve’s contract includes the installation of solar-powered streetlights at the hospitals, together with solar geysers and air-conditioners. Heat-reflecting paint will also be applied at 16 hospitals.

This project marks the third healthcare supply chain solutions project in which PFSCM and Resolve have partnered in Malawi.

“Last year, PFSCM and Resolve installed 115 prefabricated storage units across the country using Resolve’s unique Storage-in-a-Box solution. After the success of this project, PFSCM and Resolve were awarded the roll-out of a further 95 Storage-in-a-Box units, which were completed at the end of October 2017,” Strauss reveals.

Resolve’s innovative Storage-in-a-Box solution consists of prefabricated 70 m² modular storage units that are pharmaceutical-compliant, validated, fully outfitted and can be deployed immediately.

Delivered in 40-ft (12,19-m) containers, Storage-in-a-Box brings supply chain solutions to both remote and urban settings with ease, allowing supply networks to develop where they are needed, not just where they have traditionally been able to be deployed.

“We look forward to the completion of our solar undertaking in Malawi, and are proud of the ongoing role that Resolve is playing in improving healthcare in the country,” Strauss concludes.