Mwanyama Clinic, located in Nkhudzi Bay, Malawi, focuses on providing essential healthcare services, primarily for children under five, while also taking care of adults with critical medical needs. The introduction of solar energy has strongly improved healthcare access in this rural community
Project summary
The need
Before the installation of solar power, Mwanyama Clinic faced severe challenges due to the lack of electricity. The absence of reliable power meant no lighting for evening emergencies, no refrigeration for vaccines, and limited use of essential medical equipment. Additionally, community members had to walk nearly five hours to the nearest hospital for advanced healthcare services.
The solution
To address the challenges, we implemented a 3.2 kWp photovoltaic solar system with 5 kWh lithium battery storage. The system powers key medical appliances, indoor and outdoor lighting, and a fridge for maintaining the cold chain of medication and vaccines. Additionally, a freestanding solar light now illuminates the clinic’s square, improving security and accessibility at night.
Impact
Since the solar electrification of Mwanyama Clinic, the facility has experienced improvements in healthcare access and service quality. Reliable lighting has enabled safe treatment of patients at all hours. Vaccines and medications are now properly stored, ensuring their effectiveness. Essential medical equipment that needs electricity, including those for disease testing and maternal care, can now be used. Over 9.000 people from Mwanyama and surrounding villages receive treatment, medication, or consultation annually. This project contributes to the SDGs 3 and 7.
Impact Story
Sopowerful’s indelible mark at Mwanyama
“The solar power system from Sopowerful Foundation has greatly improved Mwanyama Clinic. With reliable energy, we can now store vaccines