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US NGO Installs Solar Panels in Maternity Wards in Zimbabwe

Columbus Mavhunga

   BEATRICE, ZIMBABWE - Staff and patients celebrated at Beatrice
   Government Hospital this week after a U.S. charity known as We Care
   Solar installed solar power in the medical center's labor and maternity
   wards.

   The hospital is one of more than 200 institutions that have benefited
   from the $3 million project by the California-based NGO.

   Eighteen-year-old Bridget Dube delivered her son Rodney under the
   solar-powered lights Tuesday night. Two of her sisters delivered their
   babies when the hospital had no solar energy.

   "We are really happy. This is a real relief," Dube said. "We now have
   solar lights which are handy when there is no electricity. Our children
   and those in the labor ward will no longer be in darkness."

   It was difficult without solar energy because doctors struggled to help
   expectant mothers, she said, adding that changing diapers in the dark
   was difficult.

   Because of recurring droughts and dilapidated power-generating
   equipment, Zimbabwe faces massive power outages that can go on for
   days.

   John Mangwiro, Zimbabwe's deputy health minister, said President
   Emerson Mnangagwa's government is aware of the difficulties that
   expectant mothers and health personnel face due to the power cuts.

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