SSCF Installs Solar Lighting Systems In PHCs And Primary Schools

Concluding the second phase of Solar Power Electrification of Primary Health Care Centres in Yamkeshwar, Uttarakhand Shree Shakti Consciousness Foundation (SSCF) conducted an orientation of School Teachers, Doctors, PHC Staff Members and Gram Panchayats about the working of the solar lighting system followed by the care and maintenance training. Solar Lighting Systems have been installed in two primary schools and nine Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) up till now in two phases of selected villages namely Sirasoo, Gular, Pipalkoti, Pokharkhal, Gaindkhal, Mala Khunti, Deoli, Bhrighukhal, Neelkanth, Laxman Jhula and Banchuri of Yamkeshwar Block, Uttarakhand. As part of the 4-pillar strategy community adoption program, providing health care, IT and civic education are two of the important pillars of SSCF. The others include women empowerment and nutrition. With Solar Power electrification, SSCF ensures access to solar energy with uninterrupted healthcare facilities in these Schools and PHCs catering to over 300 students and 4000 patients monthly. Further, a 100-litre fridge has been provided in the PHCs to store the life-saving drugs.  

In the training session, the School and PHC staff (the assigned person for care and maintenance of the solar lighting system) were instructed with the help of a presentation, on how to clean the solar panels, maintain the battery and the inverter. Printed material/pamphlets were also provided that explained the care and maintenance of the solar lighting system. Along with this the do’s and don’ts regarding the systems were provided to the Schools and PHCs.  

Ritu Khandurie, MLA of Yamkeswar Block, Pauri Garwal has appreciated the support provided by SSCF to the 9 PHCs in her constituency. The occasion was graced by CMO, Dr Jangpangi of Pauri Garwal.  

Dr Atul Negi from the primary health care centre (PHC) of Gaindkhal district in Yamkeshwar, Uttarakhand said, “It’s been over 10 years that we have the building for our primary health centre but getting electricity has been a challenge ever since. Refrigerating vaccines like that of anti-tetanus and anti-venom which needs to be administered within 24 hours of infection is a basic necessity which despite the availability of the centre and a qualified doctor wasn’t feasible because of the absence of electricity.”  

SSCF transferred the ownership of solar lighting systems to the Gram Panchayats of selected villages and the Doctors-in-charge of the selected PHCs. Thus, ensuring regular safety, upkeep and maintenance of the solar lighting systems. 

Umeshwar Shrivastav, Co-Founder Shree Shakti Consciousness Foundation SSCF said, “While on the planes we have a different model of medical camps, Yamkeshwar being a hilly terrain we decided to solarise the PHCs by providing them clean, uninterrupted energy that empowers the PHC’s healthcare facilities to its optimal best. Hence, an important pillar of SSCF, that of providing community health care, is being delivered with the understanding and involvement of the village community and Primary Health Centres.” 

Before installation of the solar lighting system, SSCF obtained the ‘No Objection Letters’ from the Doctors of the selected PHCs and from the Gram Panchayats of the selected villages for the installation. The No objection letter is a commitment from the Doctors and the Gram Panchayats that SSCF could install the solar lighting systems in their Primary Health Centres. The Doctors further gave an assurance that the PHC would take care and maintain the solar lighting systems from the day of installation.