Let the sun shine in
One thing that Ethiopia is not short of is sunshine. Yet, it has one of the lowest rates of access to modern energy services.
This means power cuts are still a very real part of everyday life in many parts of Ethiopia. Whilst Hamlin hospitals have generators to maintain essential services during power cuts, not all of the rural government health centres which Hamlin midwives are based at have reliable power sources.
To help solve this challenge and to harness the sun’s powerful energy Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has teamed up with the NGO Greenlamp, on a special Solar Suitcase initiative – to generate sustainable light and power for rural health centres, using solar power, improving safety and protecting patient dignity in delivery wards.
The Light for Life Project
As part of the joint Light-for-Life project, solar suitcases were installed in five remote off-grid government health centres where Hamlin midwives are based in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region: Gallo, Gewada, Shakana, Shalla and Buba.
The solar suitcase installations were accompanied by provision of foetal Doppler machines with batteries and chargers, head lights for midwives and importantly, a comprehensive training programme to enable the midwives to use and maintain the equipment.
We would like to say a big thank you to Greenlamp for their support of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia on this important programme, which will help Hamlin midwives in their life changing work.
