Difference between revisions of "Energy for Rural Health Centers"
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<div><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #393939">Health professionals in rural clinics must address unexpected challenges on a daily basis. Poor infrastructure can delay the delivery of critical medical supplies, and inclement weather can make it difficult for patients to access the clinic. An unreliable energy source adds to these challenges. If the cold chain is inoperable when supplies arrive, vaccines, blood, and other medicines may go to waste. If a clinic is without lights, patients arriving at night must wait until morning to receive care. Selecting an appropriate source of reliable and sustainable energy as well as introducing measures for efficient energy consumption can help mitigate some of the challenges inherent in operating a health facility in the developing world.</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #393939">This article will provide an overview on options for the improvement of the energy situation in rural health facilities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #393939">Most of the information related to electricity supply for health centers is based on the excellent '''USAID publication "Powering Health"'''<ref>USAID: Powering Health. Internet: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADJ557.pdf</ref>.</span></div> | <div><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #393939">Health professionals in rural clinics must address unexpected challenges on a daily basis. Poor infrastructure can delay the delivery of critical medical supplies, and inclement weather can make it difficult for patients to access the clinic. An unreliable energy source adds to these challenges. If the cold chain is inoperable when supplies arrive, vaccines, blood, and other medicines may go to waste. If a clinic is without lights, patients arriving at night must wait until morning to receive care. Selecting an appropriate source of reliable and sustainable energy as well as introducing measures for efficient energy consumption can help mitigate some of the challenges inherent in operating a health facility in the developing world.</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #393939">This article will provide an overview on options for the improvement of the energy situation in rural health facilities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #393939">Most of the information related to electricity supply for health centers is based on the excellent '''USAID publication "Powering Health"'''<ref>USAID: Powering Health. Internet: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADJ557.pdf</ref>.</span></div> | ||
= Electricity Supply = | = Electricity Supply = | ||
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| + | == Stepwise Approach to Electrifying a Health Center == | ||
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| + | #Identify the Health Center's Current Energy Demands<br>Use tools such as the USAID [http://www.poweringhealth.org/tools/audit.shtml Energy Audit Spreadsheet] (Worksheet 2 - Energy Use Overview) to identify current energy needs. | ||
== Defining Energy Needs == | == Defining Energy Needs == | ||
Revision as of 08:37, 23 June 2010
Introduction
Health professionals in rural clinics must address unexpected challenges on a daily basis. Poor infrastructure can delay the delivery of critical medical supplies, and inclement weather can make it difficult for patients to access the clinic. An unreliable energy source adds to these challenges. If the cold chain is inoperable when supplies arrive, vaccines, blood, and other medicines may go to waste. If a clinic is without lights, patients arriving at night must wait until morning to receive care. Selecting an appropriate source of reliable and sustainable energy as well as introducing measures for efficient energy consumption can help mitigate some of the challenges inherent in operating a health facility in the developing world. This article will provide an overview on options for the improvement of the energy situation in rural health facilities.
Most of the information related to electricity supply for health centers is based on the excellent USAID publication "Powering Health"[1].
Electricity Supply
Stepwise Approach to Electrifying a Health Center
- Identify the Health Center's Current Energy Demands
Use tools such as the USAID Energy Audit Spreadsheet (Worksheet 2 - Energy Use Overview) to identify current energy needs.
Defining Energy Needs
Power Generation Options
System Sustainability
Improved Cooking
Further Reading
Powering Health: Electrification Options for Developing Country Health Facilities - USAID website covering all major issues on electricity supply for rural health centers. Several country case studies available. Offers tools for energy audits and load calculation. Highly recommandable!
USAID: Powering Health: Electrification Options for Rural Health Centers - Step-by-step guide on energy needs, power generation options, and sustainability issues for rural health centers. Case studies from Botswana and Uganda.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA) (1998): Renewable Energy for Rural Health Clinics - Publication on energy issues of rural health clinics: energy applications, electrical system components, system selection and economics, institutional considerations. Also provides case studies and lessons learned.
GTZ (1996): Energy Supply for Health Care Facilities in Developing Countries - GTZ publication on energy sources, energy requirements and energy management for rural health centers.
Practical Action: Solar PV Refrigeration of Vaccines - Technical Background of solar refrigeration
References
- ↑ USAID: Powering Health. Internet: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADJ557.pdf
