Bulawayo’s major public healthcare institutions, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and Mpilo Central Hospital, are advancing towards energy independence through the installation of solar power systems. These hospitals participate in the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Solar for Health initiative, developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This initiative aims to provide consistent renewable energy to healthcare facilities, reducing reliance on the national power grid and mitigating the impact of frequent power cuts.
UBH has installed a 350-kilowatt solar power plant that currently powers most of the hospital’s operations. This includes its wards, main building, and staff residences. However, the kitchen and laundry facilities are yet to be connected to the system. Mary Duvura, a UBH operations executive, explained that the solar solution has significantly decreased the hospital’s dependence on the national power utility. She confirmed that the main hospital, wards, and staff residences have been connected to the solar grid. She indicated that only the kitchen and laundry areas remain to be connected. She added that the new solar system will positively impact the hospital by reducing electricity utility bill payments. She also noted that funds previously used for electricity bills will be reallocated to improve clinical services, such as providing drugs and food for patients.
Dr. Trust Mushawarima, UBH’s acting clinical director, emphasized the importance of a reliable power supply for critical hospital functions like the operating theatre, intensive care unit, and ventilators. He stated that while the system is still being monitored, it has proven sufficient to meet the hospital’s power needs, ensuring continuous power during load shedding. He acknowledged the support received from the government and UNDP. He said that since the system’s connection, the hospital has experienced a continuous power supply. He highlighted the essential need for a reliable power source for certain departments, such as the theatre and intensive care unit, particularly for patients requiring ventilation. He explained that the hospital previously relied on backup generators during power outages, which only powered essential areas. Now, the hospital has a guaranteed uninterrupted power supply.
Mpilo Central Hospital has also benefited from a 350-kilowatt solar system. Initially, this system powered the hospital’s laboratories. However, the plant generates more power than initially anticipated. This allows excess electricity to be fed into the hospital’s main power grid, effectively eliminating power outages. Mpilo Central Hospital’s chief medical officer (Dr. Narcisius Dzvanga) expressed hope that the hospital’s grid would soon be fully integrated with the solar system. This would make the hospital completely independent of the national power grid. He confirmed the system was implemented through the UNDP and that it can generate up to 350 kilowatts. He explained that the initial intention was to power the laboratories. He noted the system generates so much power that the excess is fed into the hospital grid, which would eliminate power outages at the hospital.