The Bo Government Hospital reached a pivotal moment as it commissioned a solar power plant, marking a significant stride in ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services in the Southern Province.
On Monday, 26 August 2024, Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, officially commissioned a new solar power plant at Bo Government Hospital. This critical development aims to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Bo and the wider Southern Province. The project is designed to provide 24-hour power to all vital hospital areas, covering 70% of the hospital’s current needs, with plans for expansion to achieve 100% coverage.
During the commissioning ceremony, Dr Mustapha emphasised the project’s importance, noting that it ensures no woman will have to give birth in the dark and that life-saving vaccines and improved health services will be reliably available. “By 2030, our ministry is committed to ensuring that no health facility in Sierra Leone will be left in the dark,” she stated.
Dr. Osman Kakay,
the Medical Superintendent of Bo Government Hospital, expressed profound gratitude for the solar installation. “This solar power plant will be transformative, especially for our operating theatres and intensive care units, which have faced challenges due to inconsistent power supply. Now, we can provide uninterrupted care, particularly during emergencies,” he said.
The project was made possible through a remarkable collaboration between the Government of Sierra Leone, the Institute of Global Perioperative Care (IGPC), the Society for Critical Medicine, Direct Relief, and Johns Hopkins. This joint effort, executed by Felicity Solar, a leading renewable energy company, will provide ongoing maintenance and training for the hospital staff and serve as a model for future projects.
Paramount Chief Prince Lappia Boima, who attended the ceremony, also praised the initiative, highlighting its significance for Bo and surrounding districts. “This is a blessing for our community,” he remarked.
As the Bo Government Hos
pital transitions to this sustainable energy source, it sets a strong example of how renewable solutions can address critical infrastructure needs across Sierra Leone.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency