The Daru Provincial Hospital in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province has taken a major step forward in healthcare service delivery, following the activation of a continuous solar-powered electricity supply.
This milestone is part of a broader agreement under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) and the PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP), with support from the Fly River Provincial Government.
The partnership aims to address chronic energy challenges on Daru Island by providing a stable and sustainable electricity source to critical institutions.
Electricity from PNGSDP’s solar farm is now supplying the hospital with 24/7 power, eliminating the frequent blackouts that had long compromised healthcare services.
Hospital operations had previously been hampered by unreliable electricity, which often led to cancelled surgeries, inoperable diagnostic and treatment equipment, and damage to costly medical devices due to voltage fluctuations.
Dr. Miriam Boga, CEO of WPHA, welcomed the development, emphasizing its importance to both staff and patients.
“Power interruptions had severely affected the quality of care we could provide,” she said.
“We are pleased and thankful that PNGSDP has come on board to provide this fundamentally important service. With continuous power now available, we can improve our service delivery and ultimately achieve better patient outcomes.”
The solar power infrastructure currently delivers around one megawatt of clean energy, with plans underway to expand capacity and reinforce the local power grid.
Additional work includes the installation of underground medium-voltage cabling, new transformer stations, and modern distribution systems to ensure long-term stability.
This initiative not only supports the hospital but also contributes to a larger vision of transforming Daru into a renewable energy-driven town. Once fully realized, the project is expected to serve as a model for other remote communities seeking to improve essential services through sustainable solutions.
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