12 health centers, of the region southwest of Haiti, are now powered by solar energy thanks to the initiative of the Government of Haiti, the financing of the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) through the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and "Solar Electric Light Fund" (SELF) which is responsible for project implementation, as part of the South Coast Initiative (CSI).

Thanks to the logistical support of the Minustah and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) CSI has been able to transported by helicopter solar panels and technical staff to install 18 solar panels to provide electricity to the health center of Ile à Vache [estimated population: 15,000 inhabitants], thus completing the series of 12 beneficiary health centers, agreed with the Haitian state [Côte de Fer, Chantal, Saint Jean du Sud, Roche à Bateau, Damassin, Coteau, Port à Piment, Randel, Charbonnière, Les Anglais et Tiburon]. The Health Center of the Ile à Vache is the 12th and last of this list, to advantage of this initiative.

Jean-Yvres Amazan, the mayor of the municipality of Île à Vache, said that "This solar plant will not only improve the work of the nursing staff of the health center, but will also benefit from the treatment center cholera (CTC) which is located next door."

For René Jean-Jumeau, Secretary of State for Energy: "These facilities contribute to the efforts of President Michel Martelly to deliver basic services to the whole country, even in the remotest areas. The energy is the engine that drives all other sectors of the country towards sustainable development and health services have an imperative need."

Solar panels installed in these health centers can resist winds of 180km / h and are composed of anti-corrosive materials. Their lifespan is at least 20 years, [the batteries must be replaced every 5 years]. This renewable energy source [40 kW in total for the 12 centers] improves the quality of patient care, to keep vaccines in a more sustainable and safe and night care is provided in a lit environment and not in the light of candles or kerosene lamps.

Training of trainers are organized so that they can in turn train the staff of Health Centres, to the basic concepts of equipment maintenance. It is also planned, a monthly technical maintenance service, a technician of SELF, for two years and the provision of a second set of batteries to replace themselves after the first 5 years. Beyond this period, the Haitian Government takes over to sustain the project.

HL/ HaitiLibre