Aptech Africa was pleased to carry out a post installation technical visit on 9th-March, 2023, at one of the 11 Health Centres where Aptech installed solar systems in a project funded by the UNDP in Uganda in 2021 under the Covid 19 Response facilities project. Among these Centres is Bukomero Health Centre IV where the visit was conducted.
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) sent representatives for this technical visit to assess the impact of UNDP funded projects in Uganda. Also present were representatives from UNDP Uganda, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Energy, Bukomero Health Centre staff, the mayor of the area and Aptech Africa as the contractor.
The aim of this visit was to give a technical description of the solar system design that Aptech installed for the health centers and showcase the impact it has created on the day-to-day operations of the health centers. The total system capacity is 12,24kWp and 32.4kWh battery for each health centre.
The in-charge, Dr. Tumwesigye Ssuubi, noted that they now have at least 450-470 admissions a month and among them are expecting mothers, children, adults as well as HIV patients. Initially the facility had the main grid supply but it was not stable yet they used to spend a lot of money on power bills. They could also not store vaccination drugs as well as blood because of unstable power supply.
He then enthusiastically noted that with the installation of the solar system, the health facility now relies on solar as main supply and the grid as backup resulting in stable and saving on cost for electricity which was not the case before. The facility is currently working as a referral for nearby districts. The installed solar system by Aptech Africa powers the theatre, laboratory equipment including, centrifuges, microscopes, vaccination fridge, blood bank fridge, maternity ward lighting and fridge, pediatric ward, male and female ward, Outpatient department plus security lighting for the whole facility.
