 "ICMR and CEEW tie up to find solar-based healthcare solutions")
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a policy research institution, have joined hands to provide effective healthcare delivery at the last mile by reducing uncertainty in critical infrastructure, particularly electricity supply via cost effective solar-based solutions.
According to Dr Soumya Swaminathan, director general, ICMR, the collaboration with CEEW will bring together synergies between the objective of ‘time to care’ as mandated in the National Health Mission (NHM) and clean energy as outlined under the National Solar Mission (NSM). Under this collaboration, on a pilot basis, ICMR-CEEW will install solar systems at select public healthcare centers (PHCs) in partnership with three state governments and evaluate its impact on healthcare delivery and health outcomes. The aim of the collaboration, an MoU for which was signed on June 29, 2016, is to create resilient health systems in rural India, benefitting primarily women and children.
As of 2015, nearly 35 million citizens in rural India rely on un-electrified PHCs for primary health services. In the absence of electricity, services catered by health institutions such as institutional deliveries, paediatric emergencies, and administering of vaccines get severely affected. Electricity access in health centres is also imperative as a means to facilitate communication services, tele-health applications and to retain skilled health workers. Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said, “The collaboration with ICMR supports the systematic and productive advancement in national policies, regulations and actions to leverage solar energy for a social purpose: enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery at various levels of governance.”
The synergy between health and energy are the two specific goals of this initiative and the efforts within this collaboration advances on both fronts.
According to Dr Soumya Swaminathan, director general, ICMR, the collaboration with CEEW will bring together synergies between the objective of ‘time to care’ as mandated in the National Health Mission (NHM) and clean energy as outlined under the National Solar Mission (NSM). Under this collaboration, on a pilot basis, ICMR-CEEW will install solar systems at select public healthcare centers (PHCs) in partnership with three state governments and evaluate its impact on healthcare delivery and health outcomes. The aim of the collaboration, an MoU for which was signed on June 29, 2016, is to create resilient health systems in rural India, benefitting primarily women and children.
As of 2015, nearly 35 million citizens in rural India rely on un-electrified PHCs for primary health services. In the absence of electricity, services catered by health institutions such as institutional deliveries, paediatric emergencies, and administering of vaccines get severely affected. Electricity access in health centres is also imperative as a means to facilitate communication services, tele-health applications and to retain skilled health workers. Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said, “The collaboration with ICMR supports the systematic and productive advancement in national policies, regulations and actions to leverage solar energy for a social purpose: enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery at various levels of governance.”
The synergy between health and energy are the two specific goals of this initiative and the efforts within this collaboration advances on both fronts.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%