Deng Solar Training Centre (DSTC), in partnership with We Care Solar (WCS), has begun a training course for stakeholders in the energy sector in a bid to promote the use of solar energy to improve maternal mortality in the country.
The two-week training programme, which is sponsored by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is expected to equip participants with the knowledge to install and maintain a new compact solar electronic system (solar suitcase), which has been introduced in Ghana.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the opening of the training programme in Accra, the Programmes Coordinator of WCS, Mrs Kim Munn, said the WCS would also donate 10 new compact solar electronic systems to health facilities after the training programme to improve maternal health care in the country.
“With the help of DSTC and the Ghana Health Service, 10 health facilities in Accra, Akuapem South, and Agona East, have been selected to receive Solar Suitcases as part of the training programme,” she said.
She added that over the next year, WCS would be donating about 100 Solar Suitcases to health facilities in Ghana through a partnership with the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE).
According to her, WCS is a non-profit organisation dedicated to reducing maternal and perinatal mortality by addressing the challenges associated with poor access to energy in maternal health facilities.
“Our aim is to equip most health facilities in the world with solar electricity to improve maternal health services, and prevent maternal and new born mortality,” she said.
“WCS has specially designed the compact rugged solar electric system for maternal health care called a Solar Suitcase, and works with partner organisations to deliver these devices to under-resourced health centres,” she stated.
We Care Solar Suitcase
The We Care Solar Suitcase is a compact, easy-to-use solar electric system that provides essential medical lighting and power for charging mobile phones and small medical devices that help identify complications and facilitate safe deliveries.
She indicated that the solar suitcase also improves working conditions for health workers and enables them to appropriately diagnose and treat patients throughout the night, as well as identify and respond to emergencies.
There are 14 attendees from Liberia, Nigeria, the Gambia in addition to staff from DSTC. The attendees are project officers from partner organisations, as well as technicians from the Ministry of Health.