Located in the province of Ramon Castilla (Loreto), the district of Islandia is located in the depths of the Peruvian Amazon geography, near the border with Brazil. This remote place is more than 18 hours by river route from Iquitos, being one of the most remote corners of the region.
Islandia is a community where the electricity supply offers only 12 hours of light daily, lacking access to internet or Peruvian telephone services. In addition, it has only one health center for all its inhabitants which, despite having been inaugurated in February of this year, cannot function during the night due to the lack of electricity supply.
The Islandia Health Center has faced significant challenges in the operation of its biomedical equipment, especially in areas such as the inpatient or maternity wards, due to the recurrent lack of electricity supply. This shortage has led the community to difficult situations when seeking medical attention in dark conditions, where emergencies are attended only with the light of flashlights. This situation has called into question the quality of medical services available and has challenged the ability to respond and speed in critical moments.
In order to strengthen the first level of health care and close the gaps in timely and quality access, the Rapid Response project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Socios En Salud (SES) and in coordination with the Regional Health Directorate Loreto, joined efforts to implement a photovoltaic power generation system that will supply electricity to the facilities of the Centro de Salud Islandia del Yavari.
“The solar panels represent an advance in our mission to provide a safe environment, with trained personnel and medical services of optimum quality to guarantee the health and safety of all our patients,” commented Rosa Cardenas, manager of the Micro Red Islandia.
This investment of approximately $/. 67 618.00 will allow the supply of energy through the use of 48 solar panels with a capacity of 20kw, responsible for converting solar energy into electricity, thus ensuring the necessary energy quality for the biomedical equipment and facilities of the Islandia Health Center.
In addition, to ensure uninterrupted medical care 24 hours a day, 24 batteries designed to store energy have been installed to guarantee a constant power supply during the night, maintaining a stable power flow during these crucial hours.
The installation of solar panels marks a significant milestone in the quest for optimal and reliable medical care for the Icelandic community. The sun, harnessed through advanced technology, becomes the engine of change aimed at overcoming the limitations imposed by the lack of electrical power and accessibility to medical services at critical times.
From Socios En Salud we are committed to continue bringing to the most vulnerable populations the benefits of modern medicine through infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, to eliminate gaps in the health sector and social injustice.
