WE CARE Solar
Women’s Emergency Communication and Reliable Electricity
Solar powered blood bank at Kofan Gayan Municipal Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Photo Credit: Laura Stachel
Maternal mortality worldwide accounts for more than 530,000 deaths a year; 99 percent of these occur in underdeveloped countries. Maternal mortality rates in Nigeria are among the highest in the world, with a ratio of 1100 maternal deaths occurring for every 100,000 live. Rural women in Northern Nigeria, most of whom do not receive prenatal care and deliver at home, are estimated to have maternal mortality ratios three fold higher than national ratios.
In response to these statistics, the Blum Center teamed with UC Berkeley researchers to employ renewable energy technology to improve obstetric care in Nigeria. The resulting system is called WE CARE, which stands for Women’s Emergency Communication and Reliable Electricity and was first implemented successfully in a major municipal hospital in northern Nigeria. Since this successful initial installation, the research team has furthered work on the project and its new “Solar Suitcase” is now at work in nine countries worldwide.
Operating theatre with solar powered LED lights. Photo Credit: Laura StachelThe Solar Suitcase helps doctors, midwives, obstetricians, hospitals and clinics in the developing world overcome a fundamental obstacle: The lack of reliable electricity. The solar-powered Solar Suitcases provide LED lighting, chargeable walkie-talkies and cell phones, and LED headlamps that come with their own rechargeable batteries. The technology is stored and transported in a robust and durable suitcase. The first deployment of these systems occurred in June 2009 and the systems have now been introduced in nine countries. Most recently, Solar Suitcases have been used by medical relief teams and maternity clinics in Haiti.
Improved surgical lighting, enhanced usage of existing medical equipment, and the establishment of a sustainable telecommunication system is being shown to reduce delays in providing care, and to increase the capacity of health workers to care for patients with obstetric complications. In addition, workers report more confidence in performing skilled care, and no longer fear night duty.
The WE CARE team is currently working to develop a second generation solar suitcase with a range of improvements such as: a lighter, flexible solar panel, improved plug-and-play features, a charge controller with monitoring system to better assess usage patterns, a control panel that has an improved mounting system, and a system encasement that is water resistant, easy to use, has clear storage compartments, and has easier portability.
In addition, the WE CARE team is also continuing to field test the suitcases, conduct qualitative and quantitative research to identify future product improvements and is working to develop a manual and curriculum to encourage optimal installation and use.
Lead Researcher: Laura E. Stachel, MD, MPH, DrPH candidate, School of Public Health
Field Location: Nigeria
Partners: The Population and Reproductive Health Partnership (PRHP); Kofan Gayan Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria
WE CARE Solar Video
Webcast: Achieving Safer Motherhood with Solar Powered Light and Communication
September 23, 2009
We always celebrate Mother’s Day with flowers. I wish we would do more to mark the occasion in ways that would reduce the number of women who die in the process of becoming mothers. So I commend Dr. Stachel, and I hope we get more creative thinking about how to reduce maternal mortality.
-Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times
