The Exponent reporter Adonis Byemelwa (right) engaged in an exclusive interview with Pamela Rwezaura at the Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre on July 17, 2024. Photo: Mediacom.
We Care Solar Aims for 2,000 Facilities: Strategic Plan to Power Healthcare in Tanzania
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a bold move to combat energy poverty and enhance healthcare delivery, We Care Solar is setting its sights on illuminating over 2,000 health facilities across Tanzania in the coming years. This initiative builds on the organization’s success in providing solar power solutions to 485 facilities in Tanzania and over 9,000 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) throughout Africa.
The impact of this program was recently showcased at a Science Communication event in Dar es Salaam, where health experts highlighted their contributions to Tanzanian communities in anticipation of the 11th Tanzania Health Summit in Zanzibar this October.
Pamela Rwezaura, the Tanzania Country Manager for We Care Solar, emphasizes that this solar initiative not only aligns with the global shift toward clean energy but is also crucial for empowering healthcare workers to save lives.
With the World Health Organization reporting that only 28% of healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa have reliable electricity, the stakes are high, particularly during obstetric and neonatal emergencies. Over 100,000 health centers in the region lack adequate lighting, leading to significant delays in critical medical care.
Tragically, nearly 300,000 women and one million newborns die each year due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Timely care is essential during obstetric emergencies, yet the absence of reliable power in over 100,000 facilities often results in life-threatening delays.
We Care Solar meets this challenge head-on with their innovative Solar Suitcases. These compact, user-friendly systems are equipped with vital tools for healthcare workers, including high-efficiency LED lights, rechargeable headlamps for better mobility, cellphone charging capabilities, fetal dopplers for monitoring heartbeats, and infrared thermometers for measuring vital signs.
“Access to power is key to a functioning healthcare system,” says Rwezaura. “As we advance toward clean energy, powering healthcare is vital to ensuring health workers can effectively treat their patients.”
In this exclusive Q&A, The Exponent reporter Adonis Byemelwa speaks with Pamela Rwezaura to explore the mission, challenges, and future of We Care Solar in Tanzania.
Q: About the 2,000 targeted health facilities: Is this a phased approach, and what are the milestones?
To date, 485 Solar Suitcases have been installed in health facilities across Arusha, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Mara, Mwanza, Njombe, and Shinyanga, providing reliable lighting and power for essential medical equipment. In 2024, we launched our five-year national Solar Suitcase program, aiming to reach 2,000 facilities through a phased approach, with an average of 400 installations annually.
Q: How will We Care Solar fund its expansion to 2,000 facilities? Are there partnerships with the Tanzanian government or other organizations?
We Care Solar, a non-profit international organization, is funded by philanthropic organizations and grants. We plan to fundraise and implement the program within the proposed timeline. In collaboration with the Tanzanian government and the President’s Office of Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), we are targeting Primary Health Care facilities. Our expansion will also involve partnerships with line ministries, health implementing partners, solar energy companies, and community-based organizations to maximize the program’s reach and impact.
Q: What’s the long-term maintenance plan for Solar Suitcases? Will healthcare workers be trained to use and maintain the equipment?
Our training programs build local capacity by training health workers and local solar technicians on the installation, operation, and maintenance of Solar Suitcases. This ensures the devices are used effectively and maintained properly.
Q: Are Solar Suitcases powerful enough to meet all healthcare facility needs, including refrigeration for medications and powering complex medical equipment?
Solar Suitcases are designed to provide power for lighting, communication, and small devices like fetal dopplers, pulse oximeters, thermometers, and headlamps, which are crucial for maternal and neonatal care. They are not intended to support power-intensive equipment like refrigerators or complex medical devices such as x-ray machines. With this capacity, the system provides adequate power to respond to maternal and newborn emergencies in last-mile health facilities.
Q: Are Solar Suitcases built to withstand harsh weather conditions in parts of Tanzania?
Solar Suitcases are robust and designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. Built for resource-limited settings, they are housed in weather-resistant cases that protect internal components from physical damage, dust, and moisture.
Q: Which parts of Tanzania are you targeting? Are they rural or marginalized areas?
The Solar Suitcase program is a national initiative aimed at empowering all health facilities in need of reliable power. Our primary focus is on rural and underserved areas where access to electricity is limited or nonexistent. By targeting these regions, we ensure that healthcare workers have the necessary tools to provide essential services. Each Solar Suitcase is equipped with high-efficiency LED lights, rechargeable headlamps, cellphone charging capabilities, and vital medical equipment like fetal dopplers and infrared thermometers. This initiative not only improves healthcare delivery but also fosters community resilience, enabling facilities to operate effectively even in the most challenging conditions. Together, we are transforming healthcare access for those who need it most.
