- Number of Newborn Babies at Kisii’s Matango Hospital Increase on Reliable Electricity
- Clean, reliable technology will provide power for the Matongo Birthing Hospital day and night, helping to improve the health of thousands of women and children in Kisii
The number of newborn babies at Kisii’s Matango Hospital has increased sharply since mid-2020 after the installation of an 8.7KW solar and storage microgrid by Schneider Electric and its local partner PowerPoint Systems to improve maternal healthcare for area residents.
Since going online in August 2020, the facility has saved money each month in their energy costs from the utility which allow more hospital supplies to be purchased.
In addition, the facility has seen a drastic increase in the number of births that the doctors at the Matongo Clinic are now supporting from 5 deliveries per month to now averaging 20 deliveries per month, 60% of which occur at night.
“Safe, reliable electricity is paramount to medical services, especially for childbirth, and infant and maternal mortality rates drop significantly when women have access to guaranteed, uninterrupted healthcare services,” said Carol Koech, Country President, Schneider Electric Kenya.
“Solar power solutions can also address both power and water shortages, particularly in rural communities, supporting long-term development and growth. We’re proud to be able to play a role in this project which will literally save lives and transform the health of so many Kenyan women and children.”
“Since the installation of the System in August 2020, we’ve had a surge in deliveries with the facility recording over 20 deliveries per month, an increase of 400% recorded in prior months,” said Andrew Herrera, Executive Director, Curamericas Global.
“From powering the most important devices during childbirth to providing cost savings for the Matongo Clinic, there are so many benefits that clean and renewable energy brings to communities,” said Samantha Childress, a member of United Solar Initiative’s Board of Directors.
Kisii region’s maternal and child health indicators are below Kenya’s national average, with one in three women giving birth at home and in less sanitary conditions.
The project was supported by the global nonprofit solar developer United Solar Initiative and Curamericas Global, who is a long-term nonprofit healthcare partner of the Kisii County Ministry of Health, to ensure that the facility has access to a sustainable and reliable source of power 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
