Last week, Respond Global’s incredible HELPR-1 team installed a new 15kW off-grid solar system at Quatvaes Hospital, Torba’s main provincial hospital which serves over 11,000 people in one of the most remote off-grid areas of Vanuatu.
Previously, Quatvaes Hospital operated without reliable power, which meant the local community couldn’t always access safe, consistent healthcare when they needed it most. Now, they are able to access:
- Healthcare services, including emergency care, powered 24/7 by clean, reliable energy
- Life-saving equipment like oxygen concentrators and critical diagnostic tools like a new X-ray machine
- Telemedicine via satellite internet
This is a powerful example of how practical climate solutions can transform essential services for people living in hard-to-reach places. As Waven Aranhabat, Provincial Health Planner, said: “This milestone marks a profound transformation for both hospital staff and patients.”
This is the second installation in under a month for this REnew Pacific project, one of the first in Vanuatu, which will reach 40 remote health facilities over the next year, supporting over 80,000 people.
In partnership with the National Green Energy Fund – NGEF Vanuatu, the project will also be supporting local schools, removing e-waste and building long-term skills through partnerships with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology- Skills That Matter.
Learn more about the project here: https://renewpacific.com.au/from-sea-to-clinic-helpr-1-powering-vanuatus-remote-health-centres/
