At the national level, the challenges for the production and distribution of medical oxygen are both financial and logistical, due to the fact that several health facilities have irregular access to electricity; in addition to light generators in poor or unstable conditions, a situation that impairs the timely treatment of patients requiring access to oxygen therapy.
In order to strengthen the first level of health care to close the existing gaps in access to oxygen therapy, the Rapid Response COVID-19 project in Peru of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in alliance with the NGO Partners In Health (SES), joins the efforts of the Regional Health Management Cusco, with the implementation of a photovoltaic power generation system in the Maras Health Center, Urubamba and Capacmarca Health Center, Chumbivilcas in the Cusco region.
Marco Zambrano, from the Socios En Salud Logistics Unit training staff at the Capacmarca Health Center on the use and maintenance of oxygen concentrators. Photo by Monica Mendoza / PIH
Solar panels: sustainable energy for the health sector
This investment of approximately $/. 54 000 in each district, will allow the supply of energy through the use of 48 solar panels with a capacity of 15 kw, responsible for transforming the energy from sunlight into electrical energy, which will favor the adequate energy quality required by the 05 oxygen concentrators that will be used to provide oxygen therapy treatment to patients with COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. In addition, to ensure medical care 24 hours a day, 24 OPZV batteries will be delivered to store energy and guarantee power supply at night.
“By having adequate electricity, we expand the health system’s capacity to respond, allowing doctors to use the necessary equipment to care for patients. In addition, this renewable energy will allow us to decrease the high costs of electricity, representing a sustainable and economic development in the region.”
- Dr. Alvaro Lujan, coordinator of the Partners In Health COVID-19 Response project.
Installation of 48 solar panels at the Capacmarca Health Center, Chumbivilcas in Cusco. Photo by Monica Mendoza / PIH
From Socios En Salud we will continue with the commitment to reduce the impact of COVID-19 to provide a timely and quality response in the health care of those who need it most. Because we are certain that injustice does have a cure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMHlBHp9stI&t=1s&ab_channel=SociosEnSalud