Lighting the Way: How Solar Lamps are Transforming Healthcare in the Central African Republic7/25/2024
Country Situation AnalysisThe Central African Republic is facing a prolonged humanitarian and political crisis, exacerbated by recent violence in neighboring Sudan and Chad. This turmoil has led to an influx of refugees, primarily women and girls, into regions already struggling with food insecurity and other humanitarian risks. According to the UNFPA, the country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 835 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022. Gender-based violence (GBV) has surged, with a 235% increase in conflict-related sexual violence reported in 2021 compared to 2020. Child marriage affects 23.6% of girls under the age of 15 and 5.2% of boys. Adolescents and young people face significant challenges in accessing youth-friendly services, with 73% of the population under the age of 35 lacking adequate sexual and reproductive health and STI prevention services. Electricity access in CAR is extremely limited, with only about 14% of the population having regular access to electricity. In rural areas, this number drops to just 3%. This severe lack of electrification means that many healthcare facilities operate without reliable power, making it difficult to provide essential medical services, especially at night. Distribution of Solar LampsTo address these urgent needs, Unite to Light provided 2,000 solar Luke Lights to the UNFPA in CAR. In turn, they worked with local and regional implementing partners to equip health facilities and support GBV services. The table below summarizes the distribution of these lamps to various partners: So far, UNFPA has distributed 1,329 lamps, and is holding onto the remainder in the short term to address emergency and unpredictable future needs, given upcoming municipal elections; which may cause further conflict to the region. Success Stories from Implementing PartnersNGO Olivier Homme de Galilée (OHG) OHG, an implementing partner, has been pivotal in improving access to gender based violence (GBV) care and reproductive health services. In six localities, our solar Luke Lights have made night-time healthcare possible. Midwives, like Simone Kossi, emphasized the practicality of the Luke Lights: "These tools are very practical and essential for our night work. They help us examine and care for our patients efficiently. We hope to receive more lamps to support our mobile clinic activities." The lamps are vital during night shifts, ensuring safe deliveries and emergency care. Christelle, a young mother, recounted her experience of receiving urgent care under the light of a Luke Light during a power outage. "One night, around 11 p.m., I had terrible abdominal pain and rushed to the hospital. There was no power, but the midwife used a solar lamp to examine me. The care I received that night, thanks to the lamp, ensured my and my baby's safety," she said. Ong ALIMAALIMA's commitment to providing emergency health services in CAR has been greatly enhanced by having access to Luke Lights. Midwives like Namwe Sandra and Georgine Sandimba, who have extensive experience in maternal health, praised the lamps for their reliability.
African Initiative for Development (AID)AID equipped their Zanbga health center with Luke Lights, significantly improving night-time medical consultations. The nursing staff described the substantial difference these lamps have made in their ability to provide continuous care:
Sage-Femme Zoumbeti Prisca Nelly added, "Saving lives is our watchword. The challenges are enormous, and the price of fuel keeps rising. The solar lamps' powerful autonomy of more than four hours allows us to provide continuous care without worry. We are deeply thankful for this timely donation." The impact of our Luke Lights in the Central African Republic is clear—they are essential tools that save lives and improve healthcare quality. We are grateful to our partners and supporters for their unwavering support in this journey.
However, the need remains vast. For only $10, you can send a Luke Light to a midwife in CAR, improving countless lives in a rural medical clinic. Choose “Global Health” as your program area:
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