Decarbonizing Healthcare in Jharkhand

According to Rural Health Statistics 2021-22, 13% of sub-health centres and primary health centres in Jharkhand lack electricity supply. While many of these are connected to the national electricity grid, face chronic power outages or voltage fluctuations. Moreover, about 30% of the state is heavily forested, making reliable grid connected power provision a challenge in many locations. In these situations, decentralized RE through solar has emerged as an alternate option to complement existing energy sources to provide uninterrupted healthcare service delivery. WRI India partnered with HSBC India and the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) to equip seven not-for-profit health facilities, which serve rural and poor communities across Jharkhand with improved electricity solutions. A total of 63 kWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) power was installed in the seven health facilities across five districts. These solarized health facilities have a total bed strength of 389 and serve around 78,000 patients annually. Consistent electricity supply and savings from the purchase of diesel is allowing these hospitals to provide more efficient and extensive services, including major surgeries, radiology, and neurology treatments and has allowed the facilities to employ new medical devices like oxygen concentrators, ventilators and ECG machines.