COVID-19: Twenty health centres to receive solar lighting systems

HEALTH  COVID-19  RELIEF

KAMPALA - As the fight against the Novel Corona Virus shifts into the second phase which will include treatment of identified cases, health workers in 20 health centres will not have to worry about power cuts, which in the past have posed a big threat in the delivery of quality services in the country.

Responding to President Museveni's call for support in the fight against Covid-19, The Dembe Group one of the oldest and biggest conglomerates in Uganda dealing in lighting, manufacture, distribution and hospitality, together with Signify, a company dealing in Phillips products and the Danish Refugee Council on Wednesday, April 29, donated solar lighting systems worth Sh450m which will be distributed to 20 health centres across the country. 

The donation was made at the Office of the Prime Minister during a function presided over by Premier Ruhakana Rugunda. 

The Philips equipment which will be installed by Sendea in 20 Health Centres throughout Uganda, will provide a properly lit environment for Health Workers to operate in a hygienic environment according to Dembe Group Chief Executive Officer Anil Damani. The equipment includes 42 Philips Solar Compound Security Lights 72 Philips Indoor solar Lighting Systems to provide Lighting to Wards and Rooms and 810 Philips Solar Lanterns.     

Health workers in Uganda have had to grapple with working in the dark because of the lack of reliable electricity. Midwives, doctors and nurses have had to treat patients in the darkness of the night. Thousands of babies across rural Uganda have been delivered without lights, relying on the glow of a mobile phone or candle to light up the operating room. 

While receiving the equipment, the prime minister said the donation will be a big relief to health centres across the country. Rugunda said that the lack of lighting during treatment exposes patients to increased risk of infection and birth complications. 

According to the World Health Organisation, hundreds of patients in Africa, especially women die from preventable causes. Some mothers, rather than go to deliver in unlit health centres, have chosen to wait till morning, putting their lives at risk. 

Dembe Group also donated other equipment worth a total of Shs1 billion. The equipment included lighting to Kamwokya slum area to improve security, a Philips Ultraviolet sterilisation Machine to sterilise the personal protective equipment given to protect the health workers and minimize the risk of accidental contamination and spread of the disease, among other equipment. 

Damani said the donation demonstrates the commitment by their group towards Uganda and the well- being of all Ugandans.

Signify Philips has provided Philips equipment and Lighting to Health Centres and Organisations in Wuhan, China, USA, Spain, India and other Covid-19 affected countries.