Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF Complete Solar Energy Project for Primary Health Care Centers
The Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF have successfully completed a project to equip 150 primary health care centers in Lebanon with solar energy. The project, which was funded by the KfW and the US government, aimed to address the electricity rationing crisis and ensure the sustainability of immunization insurance and basic care services.
Field teams worked simultaneously at multiple locations to complete the project in a record time of thirteen weeks. The teams ensured the quality of the installed solar energy systems, including solar energy equipment, protection, accessories, and electrical wiring.
The completion of the project was announced at a press conference held at the public health center in Dar Al-Fatwa, one of the care centers included in the project. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Andreas Kindl, and members of the Mayor’s Council at the Dar Al Fatwa Health Center were present at the conference.
Minister Al-Abyad expressed his gratitude to the German government, the German Development Bank, and the US government for their support in completing the project. He highlighted the benefits of the project, stating that it will allow the centers to benefit from solar energy during the summer, reduce costs, and have a positive environmental impact.
The Minister emphasized the importance of primary care centers in securing care and examinations for the most vulnerable classes in Lebanon. He announced that the Ministry will launch a project next month, as part of a World Bank loan, to distribute health cards to two hundred thousand people, providing them with integrated health care.
Minister Al-Abyadh also stressed the need for non-discrimination in providing health services in care centers. He stated that health programs cannot succeed if there are disparities in access to healthcare.
The Director of the Public Health Center, Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Khatib, expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the Ministry of Public Health to the center. He highlighted the financial benefits of the solar energy project, stating that it will reduce expenditures on fuel by two-thirds.
German Ambassador to Lebanon, Andreas Kindl, commended the installation of solar panels in health care centers. He emphasized the importance of continuous electricity supply for providing basic primary health care services and storing vaccines and medicines.
UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, Edward Pejbeder, stated that the solar energy project will ensure the operation of the basic cold chain for vaccines without the use of costly and polluting diesel generators. He highlighted the importance of providing routine immunization and basic primary health care services without interruption.
UNICEF is currently equipping 13 additional primary health care centers with solar energy, bringing the total number of beneficiary centers to 163. The organization is also conducting an assessment to equip about 300 dispensaries with solar energy to ensure that no child is left without immunization.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow up on children’s vaccination appointments at the nearest care center in Lebanon.
The completion of this solar energy project is a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability of health care services in Lebanon and reducing the impact of electricity rationing on vulnerable populations.Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF Complete Project to Equip 150 Primary Health Care Centers with Solar Energy
The Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF have announced the successful completion of a project to equip 150 primary health care centers in Lebanon with solar energy. The project, which was funded by the KfW and the US government, aimed to address the electricity rationing crisis and ensure the sustainability of immunization insurance and basic care services.
Field teams worked simultaneously at multiple locations to complete the project in a record period of thirteen weeks. The teams were committed to ensuring the quality of the installed solar energy systems, including solar energy equipment, protection, accessories, and electrical wiring.
The completion of the project was announced at a press conference held at the public health center in Dar Al-Fatwa, one of the care centers included in the project. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Andreas Kindl, and members of the Mayor’s Council at the Dar Al Fatwa Health Center were present at the conference.
Minister Al-Abyad expressed his gratitude to the German government, the German Development Bank, and the US government for their support in completing the project. He highlighted the benefits of the project, stating that it will allow the centers to benefit from solar energy during the summer, reduce costs, and have a positive environmental impact.
The Minister emphasized the importance of primary care centers in securing care and examinations for the most vulnerable classes in Lebanon. He announced that the ministry will launch a project next month, as part of a World Bank loan, to distribute health cards to two hundred thousand people, providing them with integrated health care.
Minister Al-Abyadh also stressed that primary care centers are managed by multiple partners from different segments of society. The only condition set by the Ministry is the need to ensure that there is no discrimination in providing health services to those who benefit from the care centers.
The Director of the Public Health Center, Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Khatib, expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the Ministry of Public Health to the center. He highlighted the significant reduction in fuel expenditures due to the installation of solar panels, which will benefit the center that receives approximately ten thousand patients per month.
German Ambassador to Lebanon, Andreas Kindl, commended the installation of solar panels in health care centers, as it ensures the operation of the basic cold chain for vaccines without the use of costly and polluting diesel generators. He expressed Germany’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese people.
UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, Edward Pejbeder, stated that the organization is proud to have equipped 150 primary health care centers according to the plan. He emphasized the importance of a continuous electric current in enabling the centers to provide services and store vaccines and medicines for the protection of children, women, and society as a whole.
UNICEF also announced that it is currently equipping 13 additional primary health care centers with solar energy, with plans to deliver them by the end of June. The organization is conducting an assessment and searching for additional funding to equip about 300 dispensaries to ensure that no child is left without immunization.
Parents and caregivers were encouraged by UNICEF to follow up on children’s vaccination appointments in a timely manner at the nearest care center in Lebanon.
The completion of this project marks a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability of health care services in Lebanon and reducing the reliance on traditional energy sources. The Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF’s efforts to equip primary health care centers with solar energy demonstrate their commitment to providing quality health care to all segments of society.
What is the importance of providing routine immunization and basic primary health care services without interruption in Lebanon
Lic Health Center, Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Khatib, expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the Ministry of Public Health to the center. He highlighted the financial benefits of the solar energy project, stating that it will reduce expenditures on fuel by two-thirds.
German Ambassador to Lebanon, Andreas Kindl, commended the installation of solar panels in health care centers. He emphasized the importance of continuous electricity supply for providing basic primary health care services and storing vaccines and medicines.
UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, Edward Pejbeder, stated that the solar energy project will ensure the operation of the basic cold chain for vaccines without the use of costly and polluting diesel generators. He highlighted the importance of providing routine immunization and basic primary health care services without interruption.
UNICEF is currently equipping 13 additional primary health care centers with solar energy, bringing the total number of beneficiary centers to 163. The organization is also conducting an assessment to equip about 300 dispensaries with solar energy to ensure that no child is left without immunization.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow up on children’s vaccination appointments at the nearest care center in Lebanon.
The completion of this solar energy project is a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability of health care services in Lebanon and reducing the impact of electricity rationing on vulnerable populations.
This collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF is a shining example of using renewable energy to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in remote areas. Kudos to all involved for making primary health care centers more resilient and sustainable.