Equip a sickle cell community lab in Cameroon

Work completed

Tiling on the floor of the laboratory have been completed, cabinet frames built, and worktops installed. The sinks have been installed. Plumbing lines completed. The line for bringing water into the lab has been tested and there is enough pressure for water flow.

Work in progress

Building the cabinet shutters, partitioning the room to work compartments, painting of the walls, and connecting the water from the main hose to the indoor plumb lines,

Still to do

Procure and install furniture; install a water filter and electrical outlets, tile the worktops, and install faucets.

Challenges

Recent Socio-Political crisis, including internet shut down in the region has stalled the progress of this work. For example, with the constant shut down of stores and work places it is impossible to have materials in a neither timely manner, nor get workers to work or move between places when there is call for every place to remain close. Internet shut down makes it impossible to have updates via email or internet photo galleries.

Background

As part of equiping the clinic laboratory, we quickly realized dependence on commercial electrical power was not viable and reliable, and installation not timely. The cost of a transformer and bringing electrical current from a high tension cable to the site over a 0.75 km distance was not affordable. Commercial electrical supply is not reliable:fluctuation in wattage and amperage, unpredicatble power supply interruptions for indefinate periods. To overcome this obstacle we embarked on a solar powered electrical system.

Solar Powered Electrical System

The 4KW electrical system comprises 2 x 400W solar pannels, a battery bank (800ah), PV inverter, circuit breaker, unit distributor, mounting board, circuit controllers and cables for wiring and outlet sockets. Local elctricians and carpenters were utilized in the assembly and installation. Pictures of the installation process accompany this report.

Performance

The rated output of the system was 4,000 watts (4KW). The inverter has two phase outputs, 240V and 120V. The 120V rated phase is in use. The actual voltage, when the system was powere, was recorded at 118V. Laptops, have been powered, from various outlets, 35 x 40 W  lamps are running with no electrical fluatuations in addition to appliances in use at the facility. The entire facility (not just the lab) is a beneficialry of the system.

A pressing iron rated at 1,500 W was tested. There was pouwer outage after about 5 minutes of continuos heating. We therefore recommeded no such appliances be used. 

With this installation the Foundation is absolutely electrical utility free.

Reroute

It should be noted here that when the project was conceived, isntallation of the electriical systemn was not included in the cost of equipment. But having realized that a laboratory cannot run successfully withot a reliable source of power it was necessary to reroute and have a power supply system in place.

What Next

The Foundation is now embarking on the aquisition of the hematology analyzer, to complete the hematlogy unit of the laboratory. We are therefore coming to our donors and well wishers to appeal for the last phase.

Appreciation.

We are greatful for all who have contributed towards the installation of this system. We heartily thank you for providing hope to our sickle cell community through this unique component of comassionate care.