Sierra Leone's health care system was exposed as underprepared and underperforming by the recent ebola outbreak, leaving the country in dire need of rebuilding and improving on the existing infrastructure. This project is supporting 3 hospitals and 22 clinics in rural Sierra Leone, providing them with sustainable solar electricity systems. As a co-funded project any dollar donated will be matched in a 3:1 ratio by an existing approved funding source from the EU Energy Facility.
The recent ebola outbreak exposed and weakened the Sierra Leone health care system. A lack of electricity is one of the core reasons for the low level of care throughout the country. This problem is more acute in the poor, rural communities of the country, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable of the propulation. This project will provide sustainable solar electricity systems to 3 hospitals and 22 clinics, improving the health care services for over 500,000 citizens.
Providing electricity to a health care system has multiple benefits, all of which contribute to an overall increase in the quality of care; - energy to run basic equpment such as vaccine fridges, lighting for delivery rooms and diagnostic lab equipment - energy for key lifesaving equipment such as oxygen concentrators and sterlising equipment - ability to attract qualified nurses and doctors to remote locations through improved facilities - power for functional administration of the facility
The short term impact is instant as the quality and access to care improve immediately. Long term we will see theseenergy systems make massive contributions to the health care system of the country by providing a stable enabling environment to build. Our partners in the health are committed to improving the recipient facilities with additional equipment, staff training and suport, exchange visits and life saving medicines, all of which is possible due to the stable, reliable energy supply.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
