Manipur Health Centers Solarized for Uninterrupted Power Supply

Marking the developmental application of solar power, the Manipur Government is on a spree to solarize the health facilities of the state. Chief Minister N Biren Singh had inaugurated Solar Power Systems installed in the state health facilities in Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong.

The solar power systems being developed in 65 health centers have been supported by SELCO Foundation. The foundation has also provided the health centers with energy efficient equipment. These included, a Radiant Warmer, Suction Apparatus, Spotlight, Solar Direct Drive Vaccine Refrigerator and luminaries.

The project is done in partnership with the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur Government. It’s one of the Manipur Government’s ‘100 Action Points for 100 days’ initiatives.

Chief Minister Pats the Effort

After inaugurating the solarized health centers, the Chief Minister applauded the efforts of the SELCO Foundation and district officials for implementing the installations successfully. Biren Singh held that with the completion of these installations, 98 health centers in the three districts will be having 24×7 electricity supply.

He said that Manipur health centers face problems of power shortages mainly due to the rainy season when the flooding and landslides become rampant. The Chief Minister offered his government’s strong support to the proposal of SELCO Foundation to further the solarisation of the facilities. He thanked Harish Hande, Chief Executive Officer, SELCO Foundation, and assured all help from his government in covering the remote areas of the state with solar installations.

The Chief Minister stressed on the  proper maintenance of these solar power projects, covering a vital issue with many government backed solarisation efforts He added that each health center fitted with solar power panels should have one person for the maintenance of the panels and related components of the system. Besides, training for these solar power workers could also be done in association with the SELCO Foundation.

District level Health centres have been in focus for solar power in recent times. A little time ago, Volvo Car India had announced that it has set up solar power panels at four community and primary health centers in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with industry body ASSOCHAM. Volvo said that the four health centers’ solar panels will have a combined capacity of 50 KW.