#JournoConversations – Powering Maternal Health: Renewable Energy at the Frontlines ၏ စာသားမှတ်တမ်းအပြည့်အစုံ

00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:53.839 So you would say that uh most of my stories uh are are in depth, they are well researched. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:58.319 Uh we go beyond uh surface reporting. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:20.240 So let's say in Harare or in Abuja, there is a there is a minister announcing announcing a policy uh uh on health, and uh most of the journalists will just report uh about the that police from the perspective uh of the government minister. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:22.720 But for me, I'll go beyond that. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:37.439 I'll go to the rural areas uh to to speak to the people who are going to be affected by this police, and I'll report from their own perspective. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:07:03.920 Uh these are the people with with great stories, the people with amazing stories, you don't see them um in the day-to-day news, they are really covered because it involved um uh a lot a lot of effort, a lot of time, a lot of investment in terms of funding for you to to get to to where these people are. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:10.240 So that's that's uh that's what defines me, that's what I focus on. 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:11.759 Interesting. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:14.160 And now so how about you? 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:15.600 Why solutions? 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:24.319 What um what inspired that for you to focus on more um yeah, focusing more on solutions reporting? 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:38.079 Um so I I used to work in a very fast-paced uh daily newsroom, and um to be honest, it was good and it was great work. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:08:04.959 Um we were doing development reporting at the time, um, but but it was daily and it was fast-paced, and it really gave me a lot of mental instability having to uh to joke juggle that that amount of tax and uh also seeing the reporting daily on on issues, on on problems that seem not to be getting any better uh with time or with our reportage. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:16.560 And and that was really eating at me uh on until fortunately I was introduced to solution journalism by um the legendary uh Mr. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.000 Innocent Eteng. 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:26.079 And and I've never looked back since then because it it not only um um helped my reportage, but it also helped my my mental health. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:39.200 Um, because I felt um like I wasn't just I was no longer spotlighting problems, but I was actively contributing to to solutions um you know with with my reporting. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:40.320 Oh nice. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:51.919 So I'm going to be going from where you you know what you talked about um now, um China, so just reporting solutions, why that matters to you, how it all started. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:09:02.320 So now diving into the the story that you two reported on actually, and it's a solutions, solutions focused, but from a collaborative lens. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:06.879 So you looked at it from um different country perspectives. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:10.879 So how did you come about that um that story? 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:19.120 Um so we wrote that story um around November, December last year. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:30.559 So it was again typically in the really middle of the dry heat season, um, you know, um in Nigeria and and I believe across most of Africa as well. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:51.440 And uh and yeah, um, thanks Nigeria Health Watch, we we we put out uh um a call for collaborative pitches, um, you know, started doing some research on um health problems that are not just domiciled in one client, but um uh actually shared across across the African continent. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:10:06.559 And and you know, we were able to, it was pretty easy to identify such problems uh um, you know, that is shared across um uh our different geographical area, and and and that was how um we're able to connect with Farai. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:26.480 And and and from from the beginning, um it was clear that um you know the story would be valuable because again, this these issues were shared across across borders, not just in Nigeria um but also in Zimbabwe, with um almost similar solutions or or responses um um taking place. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:26.879 Yeah. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:27.840 Yeah, thanks. 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:31.919 So I guess we're just sort of saying it without saying it. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:34.879 So someone listening might be wondering, oh, what are we even talking about? 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:38.080 So I'll just try and paint a picture. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:45.360 So imagine you are in the in a health facility, right? 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:55.039 A woman is trying to deliver a child, a baby, and at that critical moment when, and this is late, right? 00:10:55.200 --> 00:11:04.159 Late at night, say 8 p.m., 9 p.m., midnight, because you never can say when when um that moment comes. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:28.399 So imagine that's you know, at that particular moment when one is taken to the delivery suite and she's pushing, you know, the health workers are there trying to get her to you know deliver the child, they are supporting her, maybe a family member is there, and all of a sudden, bam, everywhere is dark. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:32.320 You can't see anything at all. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.200 How do you picture that? 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:37.759 Is this something you have heard about before? 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:42.559 Is it something you have experienced, or maybe someone has told you such stories? 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.600 Is it something, yeah? 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:49.120 How what do you think about such um a scenario, essentially, Farai? 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:54.159 Yeah, so so this is uh uh actually it's it's very sad. 00:11:54.960 --> 00:12:07.679 Uh but uh it has been it has been very common um uh in Zimbabwe as well as um as other countries uh in the in the region. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:12.559 Uh because you know we have been facing uh a

series of of droughts. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:19.039 Uh some of the droughts were were caused by were worsened by by El Nino. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:34.960 And um I I I've talked to to health workers uh as well as um as some of the some of the mothers who have uh experienced uh this this scenario. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:46.240 So um I remember back in in 2019 uh when we're having uh uh uh power power shortages uh across the country. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:58.159 Um the the water levels at at Lake Kariba, you know, the the country's biggest um hydropower plant had gone down and uh we were facing problems. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:14.879 So you know women uh in at general hospitals as well as in Kanzu or Kansi Wall clinics, they they had to to give birth, you know, using uh candlelights. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:32.559 I remember speaking to to to one uh nurse who told me that uh uh you know at some point uh because there was no power and uh she was uh helping she was assisting a woman uh to to deliver. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:44.240 And then she had to to to use the the torchlight from from a phone uh so that uh you know health professionals can see. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:52.159 I think like these are very these are very common common stories as you move from from one hospital to another. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:14:09.440 I think it also it also happened in uh in in in Chiping Hakatwa where this story uh was written, you know, just before the the NGOs intervened, a a similar case, you know, happened. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:12.879 And it's um it's it's very sad. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:17.840 Well, so I mean it's it's I I I can't even imagine it. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:21.440 I can't even imagine being in a in a in a room where that happens. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:25.679 That's really scary, but also very sad. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:32.879 And to think that we have we have governments who are responsible, right? 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:53.039 We have um policymakers who campaign who say, Oh, you know, they are going into power to help make the society work, and they get in, and most times, you know, 80-90% of the time, nothing changes. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:58.799 And that leads to non-profits coming to plug that gap, which you you know mentioned. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:09.919 So, but going away from that, which essentially, yes, we know the issues and we always we talk about the issues, but we also want to talk about what's working, right? 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:15.440 Tell me about what's working, something that's working, something you I know you reported on. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:23.759 How did you come about it and what's your feel about the the intervention that is trying to help address this? 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.960 Um, Kenneth. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:47.200 Uh yeah, um, so we care solar um has been working in Nigeria since um around 2008-2009, and in a very specific niche area that I find um really interesting and and and creative. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:52.799 Um, even though of course there there would be some loopholes, but it's a very niche area. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:16:06.399 And and and what they do um exactly is uh work with um primary healthcare centers to power up their uh maternity weights with with off-grid solar energy. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:15.360 And a very interesting story to to the beginning of uh of how of how Wikire Solar um came into um existence. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:17.519 Um it was during um Dr. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:23.279 Laurel's statures of postgraduate research um uh in Nigeria around 2008. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:33.919 Um she was doing a research at uh Kaduna State in a hospital called the Gambu Sawaba General Hospital in Kufang, Guyan. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:58.159 And um during uh her research, she was able to identify and observe uh how um power or how power outages um you know affects um um the maternity world and especially um um is indicative of high maternity um rates at that particular healthcare center. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:14.799 And um moved by this, uh unfortunately enough, she she had uh um an engineer for her husband, and um uh and she collaborated with him and and they actually built um the first of what they call a yellow suitcase. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:29.920 And um this this yellow suitcase um is uh it has a lithium battery and uh uh you know including a fetal Doppler. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:39.920 Uh it's it's it's used to check to check the heartbeats of uh of of of children in the womb for the fear to yeah, yeah. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:51.599 So it also comes with with two solar panels and uh and a battery, rechargeable battery, as well as sockets and high-powered um um torch lights that are also rechargeable. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:18:05.440 And this these yellow suitcases uh with the solar panels are installed in maternity watts, and they help to power um this maternity walls uh um you know all night long. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:14.960 Uh and because of of the the lithium battery um that the these yellow suitcases uh possess, they are very durable and and strong. 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:25.759 So 12 volt capacity, lead lights, uh very efficient lead lights, and uh and they have been helping PhCs. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:58.880 Uh for instance, um before before this intervention, uh and and and for your knowledge, they have installed over uh 580 uh of these yellow suitcases in in over 560 primary healthcare centers, you know, across different catchment areas in in Abuja and Kaduna, and you know, and also reached about 5 million women so far, you know, preventing and what could have been a disastrous uh you know maternity rate in Nigeria. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:28.880 Um and so before before this intervention, uh when I spoke to some of the nurses at uh Kuchiguru PHC and uh and Lube and even in Guagalala, they all confirmed that you know they've they've had instances where they had to use candles, they had to use their

their phone torch lights, you know, to to take deliveries and even had to turn turn turn women away because of course there was uh there was no power to do this. 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:36.319 But with with the with the yellow suitcases, right um, two words are always um lit up. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:41.119 Um you know, they have they have power uh um and you know for for light. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:44.559 And you know, they they they told me they were using rechargeable um lamps. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:50.240 I have used several rechargeable lamps that sometimes even go off in the middle of you know taking an operation. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:58.079 Imagine you are you are you are delivering uh a woman of a baby with with with a torchlight and then it just goes off. 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:00.319 Yeah, that's it's it's very difficult. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:03.279 It's really really difficult to imagine imagining. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.400 Thanks. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:22.000 I mean, I'll come back to you on sort of how they're able to fund this, but just before we go there, um Farai, what's the what are you what did you find essentially in in Zimbabwe, your your reports? 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:32.480 And just to I know the the cities Sino so mentioned them Lube, Wagolada, Tinko Chinguru, they're all cities in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital, right? 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:41.200 This is the federal capital we are talking about where you know these issues uh are prevalent, and you know, this intervention is now trying to help. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:49.200 So you can imagine what others are facing in other cities or states that are even far further from the from the seat of power. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:53.359 That's it's just interesting to just think through that. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:57.119 But yeah, for right, what's um what's the situation or what did you find in? 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.200 Yeah, yeah. 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:09.359 So we also have um uh week uh they've been uh doing quite a number of things uh here in Zimbabwe. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:20.880 Uh they also uh you know give uh these yellow suitcases to to different hospitals uh across the country. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:30.319 Uh but um UNDP has also been uh uh doing uh a lot of interventions. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:49.039 So they've installed uh they've installed installed uh uh solar solar um systems um it's uh government hospitals as well as uh council council owned uh council owned clinics. 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:59.759 But um in Hakata there's something uh that that was unique uh because um uh this part of the country. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:03.440 They are one of the remotest. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:07.440 It's one of the remotest areas in the country. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.759 They are off-grid. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:17.200 I remember having to use uh an off-road vehicle, you know, from the highway. 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.640 Uh going there. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:21.920 They are close to the to to to the border with Mozambique. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:24.480 And it was really difficult. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:30.079 Um they don't have the they are not connected to the grid. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.160 Uh, there is no network there. 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:38.960 You know, the area is is is so remote, it's high uh mountainous. 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:50.799 And um UNDP has installed a 200 uh a 200 kilowatt uh system there. 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:56.000 So they've connected something like about eight households. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:23:06.559 Uh you know, the the system works uh the same way uh with our um with our our power systems in the cities. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:34.240 So they've got like a a a power a power plant, uh a solar power station with some some batteries and some solar panels, and then uh they've got some power lines, uh, you know uh uh moving, you know, transporting moving electricity from from the plant to distributing it to different households. 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:41.920 There's a shopping center, and uh there's also a a clinic uh which is which is benefiting. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:24:02.480 And uh one thing I like about this is um it's it's it's sustainable in a way that uh um these households they they pay little compared to the compared to to to residents who are connected to to the main grid. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:14.559 So that the money is used, you know, to to keep to for maintenance costs um and um and and other issues just to keep to keep the system running. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:24.960 And uh they are actually better than those who are connected to the grid because uh we we always have power outages. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:36.319 And uh for for these guys who are using solar, who are using the grid, it's um it's electricity is is is always available. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.799 Right, thanks. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:51.039 I like that you you mentioned the payment path, because uh um, yes, while these interventions essentially um they are there to solve the core problem, right? 00:24:51.279 --> 00:25:03.920 Um, you know, the fact that they don't these PHCs lack reliable energy, um, especially in rural areas, not just even periurban areas, you know, clusters of spaces that are close to the city. 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:24.240 But essentially the the bigger issue here is you know, people can't deliver at night using some basic medical equipment, like the example you shared, not so um China, so that you know the the box comes with the fetal um doplatin that you can use to check, monitor um baby's heart rate and all of that. 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:48.480 So you can't do all of that if there's no electricity, but you know, because this is there, you know, that that solution or intervention is that you're able to do that, but also even storage, which is of course a bigger issue, a bigger conversation that we can't even get into because there are certain

medications, vaccines, you know, that needs to be stored at certain um temperatures, right? 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:56.720 And and at the end of the day, all of this, you know, we know the how it's impacting women and delivery and all of that. 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:06.319 But even as these solutions, you know, are there trying to provide you know backup power, sometimes they are the only available power. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:16.079 Um, but also comes brings up the question of sustainability and what the government is doing in those spaces. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:20.079 Because, like I said, these these are like stop gap measures. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:26.640 Yes, when you find um gaps, usually that's the mindset of um an entrepreneur. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:33.200 If you find a problem, you try and find a solution to it, and you know, um people will be willing to pay for it. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:36.720 But that brings up the question who is who is paying for this? 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:44.240 So now so you mentioned this is given to the PHCs, who is paying for it, how are they able to sustain it? 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:50.400 And Farah, you also talked about the fact that there's a certain fee, you know, people are people pay. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:56.640 Um, so just looking at all of this in terms of which is more sustainable, right? 00:26:56.720 --> 00:27:09.200 I'm curious to know what you both think about you know sustainability in terms of the models, how these two um interventions are designed and deployed. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:24.160 Um so the yellow suitcases, um essentially donated to PhCs and primary healthcare centers uh funded and run and run by the government. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:54.960 Uh but then again, being that um, you know, this this yellow suitcases then originate out of a government initiative, um it might be hard to assess for the PHCs to assess a budget uh to maintain um you know these yellow suitcases, the lithium batteries, the the solar panels, the lead lights, uh, you know, and the fetal doppler, uh you know, when when when when there are maintenance um issues um uh on hand. 00:27:55.359 --> 00:28:01.039 Um but I I I want to believe that PHCs have um a budget for maintenance, right? 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:31.039 Uh and uh but again, I'm I'm just I'm just um a bit curious since it didn't it didn't it didn't really resonate from the government um what what the procedure might be for for for the maintenance but I must say that the nurses at uh these PHCs are very uh um they they have good maintenance culture and they are very proud uh of of this yellow suitcases because sometimes um you know at night uh you know 12 a.m. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.839 1 a.m. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:42.400 when um there is power outages in the PHCs, it's only the maternity wards that have lights, and they can even charge some devices and and and other stuff. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:44.720 So they are really protected of this. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:29:03.119 Um the yellow suitcases are mounted on a wall and then cased uh um with an iron um um protection, and the head nurse has the key to it, it's it's kept under lock and key, and and um it's it's used only as when needed and and necessary. 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:34.240 And so I believe they are they are really um um by ownership they are doing their best, but then um when when it comes to um um you know replacing uh um some of the component parts, um that that that that might be an issue, which is where I defer to to to the Zimbabwean um model where there is already um a fee on ground that you know uh that that that keeps up some emergency funds for uh for these repairs. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.799 Yeah, cool. 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:41.359 So essentially, I guess it's donor funded from what I hear you said since they donate this to the PHCs. 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:44.319 Yeah, it's it's it's donor funded. 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:57.119 Yeah, from from the USA and and um and unicef and others, although they have also been severely impacted uh with the with the cuts in donor funding. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:30:09.519 Um but one creative thing they have done is now um collaborating and liaising with with governments to uh to to pay for the suitcases and and then do the installment and training of nurses. 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:24.640 So they are they are they have been working with um with the federal government in Abuja to roll out uh more in around the Abuja metropolis and rural areas as well as Kana and other Sokoto and other frontline um states with high mortality rates. 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.839 That's interesting. 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:32.079 And I mean it would be curious to know how, especially for facilities that are getting the funding. 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:37.680 I know the the funds for the for Q1 of 2026 have just been disbursed. 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:46.240 The basic healthcare provision fund, if this is something they can invest in, especially as far as I understand, this is a one-off engagement, right? 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:58.400 There's no recurring cost, it's just one off to get the system and perhaps maybe when the battery dies, but that doesn't happen, sound like it happens um every day, the lithium batteries. 00:30:58.559 --> 00:31:01.519 So yeah, but yeah, yeah, that's cool. 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:03.119 So, how about you, Farai? 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:16.799 What's the I know there's a fee, sort of a fee for service or something that you mentioned, but how does it work and how do you think it will impact on on that solution or intervention long term as far as sustainability goes? 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:31.359 Yeah, so uh as I mentioned before, that GNDP has been uh installing uh small um small solar systems at both government-owned and and canzu old clinics. 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:35.200 So um I I visited one clinic uh here in Mutare. 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:40.799 I think they've got something

like an 18 kV, uh 18 kV solar system. 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:53.440 And then I I asked uh the nurses if the system was working, and then they told me that they were having issues with um with with some batteries and and other cables. 00:31:53.599 --> 00:32:11.039 And then I asked why why is it that the the cans or the local authority did not uh send in their engineers to to to fix the the problem, and then they told me that no uh the people who installed this system actually came from Harare. 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:22.400 And uh the the the local engineers they were they were not they were not taught uh how to how to fix any problems. 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:30.559 So they don't know it's been it's been sitting like this whilst we are waiting for people to to to to come from Harare. 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:55.039 And so so look with the um with the with the impact of um of of of funding cuts uh you know you might that system might just sit there and it might never be repaired because there's no funding to bring in uh some some experts some engineers from from our area to come and fix and fix the problem. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:33:00.640 So that's it's been a challenge like through throughout the country. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:12.720 So with this off-grid, um the the the donor the the donor UNDP worked with um with uh with the government. 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:24.640 Um so we have got uh uh uh an agent responsible for for rural uh rural electrification uh in Zimbabwe. 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:30.160 So they worked together with UNDP, you know, to to set up this system. 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:42.559 They were using engineers, uh engineers from this uh this uh organization, you know, to electrify uh to electrify this community. 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:47.039 So they are the ones who are managing the system. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:51.359 The donor actually they funded the initiative and then they left. 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:55.519 And then the government is now in charge uh through these agents. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:34:07.039 So the the communities, these eight households that I talked about, they pay they pay electricity, just like we do, you know, in in urban areas. 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:20.239 Uh you pay you you buy a token, uh, you buy a token from the the power utility company, and then you get your power, you use it up until it's decorated, and you you buy again. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:23.599 That's how uh this system is working. 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:27.599 And I asked, uh what is what is the purpose of this? 00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:31.519 Because um uh renewable energy is free is always available. 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:46.800 But then they told me no, these lithium batteries you see, they've got a lifespan of somewhere around 15 years, uh, and the solar panels can stretch up to 30-35 years somewhere there, and at some point they would need to be to be replaced. 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:52.480 You need to replace some batteries, you'd need to replace uh some some power some power panels. 00:34:52.639 --> 00:35:06.239 There is also some security guys who are looking after the panels, these guys they need to be paid, and also uh, you know, the thing of community ownership, they want the community to own this project. 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:14.400 That way the project can last because it's it's they they take it, it's it's part of it's part of their lives. 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:21.760 Uh they guard it with with their own lives, they make sure that the system is is working. 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:42.000 Uh, because if um if women are now are now giving birth in in a well-knit maternity world, uh you you wouldn't want to to you know to see the the system not working, you do whatever you do to ensure that the system is working. 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:46.719 That's that's how sustainable uh this project is. 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.719 Interesting. 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:49.280 Thanks. 00:35:49.360 --> 00:36:21.280 So I mean this this has been interesting conversation, just hearing um all of the different ways it's the interventions play out, the the ownership, I like that part because it's always been one of the issues as far as um um interventions are concerned, who owns it to make sure that it's sustainable because whoever is bringing that intervention, in this case, either a non-profit or a social enterprise, they are not going to be there forever. 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:25.679 So, how you know how do we make sure that it stays when they are not there? 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:37.519 And it's really interesting to see you know that ownership, in as much as there are a couple areas that can, you know, um that improvements can still come, right? 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:52.079 Um, especially around issues of funding to make sure that it can scale, um, maintenance when there are technical issues, you know, like you mentioned, um Farai, and essentially scaling it to other other places, right? 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:54.559 This this has been interesting. 00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:57.679 But so but so now looking at both countries, right? 00:36:57.840 --> 00:37:00.000 You you did this story collaboratively. 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:03.440 There was a Nigeria side, there was the there was the Zimbabwe side. 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.239 So maybe you now. 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:08.320 So imagine you are now facing each other in the room and you're talking to each other. 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:12.639 So, what is one thing that you think that you liked from both sides? 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:16.400 Is there any if you know it's not composite that much that you must like something? 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:19.199 Is there anything that you like from the other side? 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:34.079 So um China, so from the Zimbabwe side, for right from the Nigeria side, how they how how they are going about there, so how that particular um non-profit you know is addressing this this challenge. 00:37:34.159 -->

00:37:51.599 Um, because of course they are there there there might be others, there will be others who are also trying, it can't be just one person, but for the purpose of the reports, this um the investigation that you guys did, is there something you liked or something you think they could have done better? 00:37:52.400 --> 00:38:07.280 Uh so I think for me, I again like the fact that the whole upgrade um initiative um you know came up as uh a partnership between the government and an international nonprofit. 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:14.239 And I believe that is what um will lead to its continuity and you know community ownership. 00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:26.639 Um it wasn't it wasn't just a one-off, there was uh you know an actual purpose, you know, to come together between the government and a nonprofit to do this. 00:38:26.800 --> 00:38:40.400 I say this because I believe to solve um you know this problem um around maternal mortality, around um, you know, energy source and stability for healthcare centers and healthcare in general. 00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:53.039 I believe there has to be concerted efforts, um, you know, not just um silos of of responses from from government on one side to nonprofit or the other and and and individuals on another side. 00:38:53.199 --> 00:38:57.039 You know, it has to be coordinated, comprehensive, and concerted. 00:38:57.280 --> 00:39:14.719 So so I I like the fact that you know this initiative was bettered um you know from from um a collaborative point of view uh between between the government and uh and and and yeah, I mean it's collaboration, collaboration, collaboration, essentially. 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:16.000 Farah, how about you? 00:39:16.159 --> 00:39:17.519 Anything or something? 00:39:17.679 --> 00:39:18.639 It can be on the other side. 00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:33.599 Yeah, I think I like uh the fact that the um uh the the week a not a non-profit is is uh working hand in hand with uh uh the federal government. 00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:36.400 I think uh collaboration is the way to go. 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:43.440 And I also like the the fact that um Chinon so brought up of you know ring fencing. 00:39:43.599 --> 00:40:16.480 Because you know, these suitcases they're ideally meant for for for maternity words, and uh, you know, at a hospital, in as much as uh everyone in the hospital is affected by uh by these uh power outages, I think um women in who a woman who is who is who is giving birth or who is about to give birth is the most affected, and you wouldn't want um you wouldn't want to to to to deliver a babe in a in a in a dark room. 00:40:16.639 --> 00:40:23.119 So the fact that these these yellow suitcases are mounted on a wall, you know, that's that's ring fencing. 00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:45.039 Because uh in my country we have a problem, we have got like a problem where uh tax is like I can give you an example of sugar tax, uh, which is which is meant to buy um to buy equipment like cancer machines,

but you know, the money is is not ring fenced, it's it's ending up being used uh somewhere else. 00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:54.320 So I think this is uh this is a great lesson that uh other African countries can can learn from from this project in Nigeria. 00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.039 Interesting. 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:55.440 Thank you. 00:40:55.519 --> 00:41:03.840 I like that you ended with that because that's essentially why we're doing this learning, cross-learning, you know, sharing with others. 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:08.239 So we are we are we are learning from what others are doing. 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:27.280 So just to end, um if you had one opportunity, so if you're going to maybe you are in a convening and you are able to speak to a policymaker across from any African country, maybe your own country or another country, is there something that you that you want them to you know do now? 00:41:27.679 --> 00:42:05.119 Anything to avoid losing more mothers, especially due to something as simple, really simple as well, maybe not so simple as um electricity or maybe on other costs really are you know to reduce maternal modality, because at the end of the day, that's where all of this um you know conversation has has led to having steady power supply in in primary healthcare centers to support deliveries, to support women when they are at a very at a very vulnerable moment. 00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:10.800 That's an interesting one. 00:42:11.440 --> 00:42:17.760 Um so uh at the risk of repeating myself, I would say again collaboration. 00:42:18.000 --> 00:42:38.320 Um first they need to they need to uh policymakers across uh the different countries in Africa need to see uh you know maternal mortality and healthcare as a care and imminent that requires um you know immediate attention and action. 00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:41.840 And and and and again, collaboration is the way to go. 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:47.840 They need to um you know partner up uh with with uh again. 00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:49.440 That is one thing about Africa. 00:42:49.599 --> 00:42:50.960 We are very resilient. 00:42:51.119 --> 00:42:53.760 Um most times you don't really have to wait for the government. 00:42:53.920 --> 00:43:05.920 You have different silos of community development, community initiatives, individuals, um, you know, groups, non-profits, do what they can in different silos to uh you know to solve this problem. 00:43:06.000 --> 00:43:14.320 And so the government needs to collaborate with these different silos of practices to ensure that these problems are tackled. 00:43:14.480 --> 00:43:26.719 And we need to start designing primary healthcare centers and and healthcare facilities in general with upgraded energy sources, you know, right from the ground, right from the side. 00:43:27.360 --> 00:43:32.480 That that that will help curb um all this all these problems um in the long run. 00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:33.760 Thank you. 00:43:34.079 --> 00:43:35.360 All right, thoughts? 00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:54.000 Yeah, for me, uh I I think uh we shouldn't be losing uh mothers or or we shouldn't uh have mothers being turned away from a clinic just because there is no power in 2026. 00:43:57.440 --> 00:43:58.800 It's unbelievable. 00:43:59.119 --> 00:44:04.239 And uh So the government should own up projects like this. 00:44:04.320 --> 00:44:16.400 The government should scale up, build uh more off-grid solar power uh stations, solar power plants across the country. 00:44:16.719 --> 00:44:21.360 And uh they should not wait for for for donors. 00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:26.239 I think we have learned a lot with the the US funding cuts. 00:44:26.719 --> 00:44:30.079 Uh that we can't we can't rely on donors. 00:44:30.159 --> 00:44:41.199 The government can't um can't neglect its duties, you know, thinking that uh that the that donors will come in, you know. 00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:43.679 Some of the money, it's not even much. 00:44:43.840 --> 00:44:50.559 The government has this money, they can use the taxpayers' money to fund projects like this. 00:44:51.760 --> 00:44:52.320 Awesome. 00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.519 Thank you so much for that. 00:44:53.679 --> 00:44:55.199 I hope they are listening. 00:44:55.360 --> 00:44:57.440 Um, that's really the idea for this. 00:44:57.519 --> 00:45:09.599 So, yes, we do our part, we pull in colleagues, you know, like you both to have this conversation, but we also leverage our platform to push it out there um throughout the Nigeria Health Watch channel. 00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:13.519 So we're hoping that they they get to see some of these recommendations. 00:45:13.679 --> 00:45:28.079 We know there are um you know recommendation solutions everywhere, but we keep pushing them out because it's not a one-off engagement, and that's essentially why this um conversation matters. 00:45:28.239 --> 00:45:46.320 So, thank you so much for making our time to um cheer insight, dive deep into this um important reporting that you did, the intervention around using renewable energy at the PHC level to improve access to maternal health care. 00:45:46.719 --> 00:45:50.239 Thanks so much, Inosu, and thank you, Farai, for your time. 00:45:50.639 --> 00:45:53.440 So much, thank you for having me, Chirike. 00:45:53.760 --> 00:45:54.159 Okay, good. 00:45:54.400 --> 00:46:00.000 So, this has been made possible by Nigeria's Watch Journal Conversations podcast series. 00:46:00.239 --> 00:46:03.119 You can get us anywhere you get your podcast. 00:46:03.199 --> 00:46:22.079 And please do reach out if you have any thoughts, any contribution, any solution really that we um that you want us to talk about or something that is working around you, or even not working, because we believe if people don't know about the issues too, we talk about them, we don't shy away from talking about them. 00:46:22.159 --> 00:46:33.599 But the conversation now becomes if the you know if the problems are out there, we now start asking what's working, do we know enough of what's working so others can learn? 00:46:33.679 --> 00:46:43.440 So you can reach out to us through any of our social media platforms, just Nigeria Healthwatch, and we will show up or podcast at Nigeria Healthwatch.com. 00:46:43.840 --> 00:46:49.280 Hi, it's been a pleasure hosting this episode, and my name Remens Chibk Alabosa. 00:46:49.920 --> 00:46:51.199 Thank you, and over.