…NGO
says it was moved by TellZim story
says it was moved by TellZim story
TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – Non-profit
health NGO, SolidarMed, recently funded the installation of solar lighting
system for the Masvingo Provincial Hospital maternity ward in response to a
TellZim story highlighting poor lighting caused by power cuts.
health NGO, SolidarMed, recently funded the installation of solar lighting
system for the Masvingo Provincial Hospital maternity ward in response to a
TellZim story highlighting poor lighting caused by power cuts.
TellZim
reported in in its August 16-22 edition how patients and nurses were being
asked to bring their own candles to the hospital as the rolling power cuts made
work more difficult especially during the night.
reported in in its August 16-22 edition how patients and nurses were being
asked to bring their own candles to the hospital as the rolling power cuts made
work more difficult especially during the night.
SolidarMed
then mobilized resources to the tune of US$8000 which they used to install a
2kW solar system which lights up the whole ward and powers the Information
Technology (IT) system there.
then mobilized resources to the tune of US$8000 which they used to install a
2kW solar system which lights up the whole ward and powers the Information
Technology (IT) system there.
The
system was commissioned on December 19, 2019 in the absence of hospital staff
led by medical superintendent, Dr Julius Chirengwa.
system was commissioned on December 19, 2019 in the absence of hospital staff
led by medical superintendent, Dr Julius Chirengwa.
The
organisation also installed an electronic partograph, a computer system which
monitors pregnant women’s laboring and helps with early detection of maternal
complications thereby helping to reduce maternal mortality.
organisation also installed an electronic partograph, a computer system which
monitors pregnant women’s laboring and helps with early detection of maternal
complications thereby helping to reduce maternal mortality.
In
an interview later on, Chirengwa said the hospital was already feeling the
relief brought by the solar system.
an interview later on, Chirengwa said the hospital was already feeling the
relief brought by the solar system.
“We
are grateful for that help. The maternity ward is one of the most critical at
the hospital and it had been a big challenge operating without proper lighting
as electricity supply from the national grid is not reliable,” said Chirengwa.
are grateful for that help. The maternity ward is one of the most critical at
the hospital and it had been a big challenge operating without proper lighting
as electricity supply from the national grid is not reliable,” said Chirengwa.
He
also said he hoped the hospital will find help to build a bigger solar system
to light up the rest of the facilities and power up critical equipment.
also said he hoped the hospital will find help to build a bigger solar system
to light up the rest of the facilities and power up critical equipment.
Under
country director Dr Janneke van Dijk, SolidarMed has made several outreaches to
equip health institutions in the country.
country director Dr Janneke van Dijk, SolidarMed has made several outreaches to
equip health institutions in the country.
The
organisation recently donated a modern X-Ray machine to Chikombedzi District
Hospital which had operated for many years without one.
organisation recently donated a modern X-Ray machine to Chikombedzi District
Hospital which had operated for many years without one.
SolidarMed
is also leading innovative efforts to find medical solutions faced by local
communities by leveraging on the potential of digital technology to solve those
problems.
is also leading innovative efforts to find medical solutions faced by local
communities by leveraging on the potential of digital technology to solve those
problems.