November 14, 2023
The Haitian Government represented by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC) and the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) proceeded on Friday, November 9, 2023 to the inauguration of a hybrid energy system at the Immaculate Conception Hospital in the city of Les Cayes. This initiative aimed at guaranteeing a reliable energy supply to the largest hospital center in the city of Les Cayes demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving the conditions of access to health for the population.
“Before the installation of this solar system, it was difficult for us to guarantee electricity despite the efforts made due, among other things, to the exorbitant prices of diesel to operate the generators. The hospital management was very concerned when the nursing staff could not respond to a given emergency due to limited access to electricity,” said Dr. Esthère Dorilma, Medical Director of the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Les Cayes. . “ This new source of energy will allow us to overcome certain problems that have been linked to the unavailability of electricity and meet the needs of the population. It is with great pleasure that I extend sincere thanks to the officials of the Ministry of Public Health, as well as to partners including the MTPTC, the World Bank and UNOPS.”
“This project demonstrates that a win-win partnership is possible by capitalizing on the strengths of the different partners. These solar systems are built entirely by local companies who have delivered quality installations, which demonstrates that the photovoltaic solar market in Haiti exists, is growing and is becoming mature,” said Nicolas Allien, Coordinator of the Cell MTPTC Energy . “The MTPTC Energy Unit is making itself available to support efforts aimed at channeling the large-scale replication of this innovative solution at the level of the country’s various hospital centers, consisting of providing them with energy autonomy, essential to their operation. »
Funded by the World Bank to the tune of US$5 million, the project made it possible to assess energy needs and provide the necessary equipment to install a hybrid energy system in five strategic hospitals and health centers in the departments of the South, South-East and North, thus strengthening the performance of these health structures while reducing their dependence on fuel.
“The installation of solar systems with storage batteries in five (5) hospitals prioritized by the Government, including that of Les Cayes, makes it possible to free ourselves from dependence on petroleum products, to make substantial financial savings and to guarantee much greater access stable population to health services, particularly in remote areas of the country,” said Laurent Msellati, head of World Bank operations in Haiti. »
Executed by UNOPS over a period of nine months, the installation of integrated hybrid systems, generally consisting of photovoltaic solar panels, lithium batteries and inverters, among others, takes into account the assessed needs of each establishment concerned. UNOPS works jointly with the MSPP and the MTPTC Energy Unit to carry out technical training of staff and preventive maintenance of integrated systems with a view to guaranteeing greater durability of equipment. As part of this project, UNOPS also installed four solar water pumps in the communes of Les Cayes, Ile à Vache, and Thiotte in order to strengthen sanitation conditions.
“The insufficient electricity supply, particularly due to dependence on expensive diesel generators, has considerable repercussions on the health sector in Haiti. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the critical importance of ensuring a stable and reliable source of energy for our health care units,” said Dabagai Dabagai, Country Director of the UNOPS office . “Thanks to these solar systems, essential activities such as maternity, emergency and surgery can continue to operate during times of energy crisis. »