Solar panels installation in remote areas to power oxygen concentrators

Unreliable power supply across remote and island health facilities to power oxygen concentrators remain a major challenge for the Ministry of Health.

This was highlighted during the Eco Equity Asia-Pacific Conference at the University of Fiji.

During the event, Ministry of Health National Programme Coordinator for Oxygen, Udila Tawake has stressed that the lack of consistent electricity is affecting medical services, particularly those dependent on oxygen concentrators.

She highlights that they have rolled out solar-powered oxygen concentrators in health facilities across the Western and Eastern divisions, with expansion now underway in the Southern division.

Tawake says the project aims to ensure that every health facility can provide a reliable oxygen supply, especially after Fiji’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic when oxygen shortages posed critical challenges.

The Coordinator adds that a dedicated research, procurement, biomedical, and solar engineering team is working together to implement and sustain the project nationwide.