Naari, a women charity group, has installed a solar power system worth K7 million at Mlale Mission Hospital in Lilongwe to lessen the impact of prolonged power outages on the institution’s operations.
Minister of Health Atupele Muluzi, who officially presided over the handover ceremony of the system on Friday, commended Naari for the gesture, saying alternative power sources are a solution to electricity challenges facing the country.
He said government, with support from donors, is targeting to install solar power systems in 85 healthy facilities.
“What Naari has done is complementing government efforts to ensure that health facilities, especially those in rural areas have solar energy. This is a positive step to ensure that our hospitals are functioning properly,” said the minister.
The solar power system at Mlale Hospital will mostly be used in the theatre, according to hospital authorities.
Naari chairperson Nisha Hemat Tanna said instead of blaming authorities for the electricity challenges facing the country, there is need for collaborated efforts to find solutions.
“We hope that through this donation many lives will be saved,” she said. n
