TNM has installed a K7.5 million solar power facility at Trinity hospital in Malawi’s southern tip district of Nsanje to help bridge electricity outages at the rural hospital.
Trinity hospital is connected to the national power grid by Escom, but faces frequent outages due to environmental degradation that affects Escom installations during the rainy season. The hospital has been struggling with bills for fuel to power up generators during outages for the maternity section.
TNM’s Head of Blantyre Region David Nyirenda said when he handed over the equipment Thursday the gesture is part of the mobile phone company’s social obligation to help improve delivery of quality health services in the country.
“TNM as a Malawian company takes pride in giving back to the community as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, and health is one of the targeted sectors,” he said.
Nyirenda said TNM realizes that the responsibility of providing for hospitals is not for government alone.
“While government is trying to address challenges facing the health sector, we at TNM would like to complement those efforts by playing our part,” he said.
In his remarks Bishop of Chikwawa diocese Peter Musikuwa who was the guest of honor thanked TNM for the support saying it will go a long way in alleviate power problem at the hospital.
“We are very grateful to TNM for extending its hands and support us with this solar electricity system and am sure that this will go a long way in alleviating power problem that the hospital has been experiencing” said Bishop Musikuwa.
Principal Hospital Director Williams Allan said the installation of solar power will help reduce maternal death at the hospital due to frequent blackouts.
“We have been facing numerous challenges here at Trinity Hospital whenever there is blackout. As you know during the months of January to March Shire Valley is characterized by floods and it is during these months that we experience a lot of problems,” said Allan.
“We want to assure TNM that as a hospital we will take a very good care of the equipment and we know that the solar power is very expensive. As you know we are in financial crisis it only takes a true friend to help you in time of need as what TNM has done to us,” he added.
Trinity Hospital, with a 200-bed capacity assists people from Thyolo, Chikwawa and Nsanje. It acts as a referral hospital for surrounding health centres.
