Environmental research

Context: The Diocese of Mahenge is running a mission hospital titled, St. Francis Hospital which provides in-patient and out-patient services. Fluctuation of power from the National Grid makes the hospital go without power for an average of 4 months per year. When power from the national grid is not available, the hospital runs diesel generators to sustain important services like theatre and emergency services particularly caesarean services. Use of diesel generators has three significant challenges: (i) It pollutes the atmosphere by emitting carbon dioxides which is a greenhouse gas. It is estimated that emissions per year reach a peak of 53,280 kg. CO2 (Calculated as 2,22 kg. CO2 per litre of diesel) (ii) Increased cost of services. Use of diesel occasions additional expenditure of US$ 22,000 per year. This cost is passed on to patients, most of them poor people which in turn increases level of poverty (iii) Noise pollution. Running of generators disturb in-patients who needs a serene atmosphere. Project s main Objective: To install solar power to the Mission hospital at Ifakara in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from standby generators and sustain critical and emergency hospital services in event of power failures from the national grid.

Tanzania