UNDP Hands Over 450 kilowatt Solar System To NatPharm

By Kuda Pembere

UNDP Zimbabwe has handed over solar power equipment to the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) worth US$500 000 to help boost the cold chain supply system in the country.

Speaking at the handover of the equipment purchased by the Global Fund against AIDS, TB and Malaria, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora commended the partners for the timely intervention coming amidst electricity challenges bedevilling the country.

This occasion marks a crucial step in our country’s ongoing journey towards building resilient and sustainable health systems. Today’s launch is the result of our strong partnership with the Global Fund and UNDP as we fight AIDS, TB, and malaria. I extend my deepest gratitude to both organizations for their unwavering support of the Zimbabwean government’s efforts to combat these pressing health issues.

“Your contributions are invaluable and will continue to save countless lives while improving health outcomes across our nation. Electricity shortages have long posed significant challenges to healthcare services in our institutions. Frequent outages disrupt critical operations, delay medical procedures, and compromise the quality of care that we strive to provide,” Minister Mombeshora said.

Minister Mombeshora added that the Solar4Health initiative which electrified 1 044 facilities has significantly addressed several challenges hampering effective health service delivery.

“Facilities have faced challenges in maintaining essential services such as laboratory testing, medication storage, and patient monitoring. This has unfortunately led to increased risks for patients and reduced overall effectiveness of our healthcare delivery. The Solar for Health initiative directly addresses these challenges. Our collaborative journey in this initiative began in 2016 and since then we have successfully installed solar units in 1,044 health facilities, achieving a cumulative capacity of 11 MW.

“This monumental investment has transformed these facilities into self-sufficient entities, particularly in critical areas such as maternity, laboratory services, pharmacy, and health information systems. The impact of this initiative cannot be overstated,” the Health Minister said.

Head of Global Fund Africa  Mr Linden Morrison said the donation was worth over US$500 000.

“Today we’re marking a significant achievement with the launch of the 450 kilowatt solar unit, made possible through our collaborative effort, with a value of just over half a million dollars, and which is in support of what’s funded by the Global Fund. As was pointed out earlier by the earlier speaker, this step, it goes a long way in improving health infrastructure and strengthening the health system here in Zimbabwe. Since 2003, the Global Fund has been partnering with Zimbabwe.”

To date, Global Fund has invested just under $3 billion. In this current funding period, which started in January 2024, they intend to invest an additional $500 million towards combating the three diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and strengthening health systems.

“We want to extend our congratulations to Zimbabwean partners and the Government of Zimbabwe for the exemplary performance and significant contribution in the global fight against HIV, TB, malaria over the past decade,” he said.

UNDP Representative to Zimbabwe Ayodele Odusola said the solar system they were handing over would meet about 95 percent of the Warehouse’s electricity demand.

“The Harare NatPharm Warehouse solar array, with a capacity of 450 kWp and 1000 kWh battery storage, is the primary energy source and is expected to meet approximately 94.3% of the total electricity demand.

“By providing reliable and sustainable energy, we are enhancing the operational capacity of the NatPharm National Medical Warehouses and the provision of quality health services at the health facilities,” he said. “The system being commissioned today will be transferred to Government after the one-year system warranty lapses. The maintenance period by the vendor will continue for the next 3 years.”

He said the installation at NatPharm Warehouse would help save over US$150 000 annually in electricity costs.

“These installations will save approximately 11447 tons of CO2 emissions yearly, substantially reducing the health facilities, laboratories and warehouses’ carbon footprint.

“The 11MW kWp Solar PV systems ensure continuous operation during power outages, critical for maintaining the supply and cold chain for health and medical supplies.

“Significant reduction in electricity costs and diesel consumption, allowing for reallocation of resources to other critical healthcare needs,” Odusola added.

NatPharm Board Chairperson Ruth Kaseke said the solar system would help ensure an uninterrupted power supply for the preservation of lifesaving medicines as well as contributing towards clean energy.

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