CHING’OMBE HARNESSES THE POWER OF THE SUN

The Churches Health Association of Zambia CHAZ in partnership with Muhanya Solar has installed Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems at St. Joseph’s Rural Health Center (RHC) – Ching’ombe Mission which is located about 200 km south of Mkushi town in the heart of the Luano Valley. 

Being one of the remotest areas in the country, St. Joseph’s RHC has neither access to electricity, Internet connectivity, nor a water sanitation system, save for the Ching’ombe River that cuts through it.

Ching’ombe RHC Administrator, Rev. Sr. Emery Chipamba, says the center has a number of equipment that has not been used due to lack of electricity in the area. 

“We are now able to use all the medical equipment that we have at the facility,” she said. “ We will continue to lobby for more equipment especially in theatre so that we lessen the number of referral cases.”

Since its establishment, Ching’ombe has not had electricity due to its remote location and poor road network. The scheduled power supply from the mini-hydro station from the Catholic Mission was interrupted as the connecting cable got burnt by one of the locals while clearing the field for planting season preparation.

Chingombe RHC Clinical Officer, Mrs. Cynthia Kabaso, says the coming of the solar system has made much of her work easier. Even when she is called in the night for emergencies, she is not worried about the lighting in the operating rooms or the wards.

“Sometimes we would use our mobile phone torches to light the room during deliveries at night.” Mrs. Kabaso said. “In worst case scenarios, we would use the locally made paraffin lamps to undertake an operation.

The Muhanya/CHAZ Partnership

Muhanya Solar Limited was selected for the Power grant under the Power Africa Off-Grid Project. 

In the Partnership, Muhanya will provide electricity Access to seven rural health facilities affiliated to CHAZ. The project has also electrified a total of 50 staff houses around the selected facilities to generate revenue to support the operations and maintenance of the solar systems installed.