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A preliminary network analysis that has been conducted by Eskom reveals that it will cost R356 million for 46 hospitals in various provinces to be exempted from load shedding by installing new infrastructure.
This was revealed by Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo on Tuesday during a briefing at the National Council of Provinces' ministerial session on mitigating the negative impact of load shedding in providing healthcare services.
Dhlomo said load shedding had a negative impact on the provision of health services at health facilities, hospitals and clinics, adding:
In October, City Press reported that the number of hospitals exempted from power outages across the country had increased from 37 to 72. However, the national department of health announced on Thursday that about R100 million would be needed for 28 more hospitals in various provinces to be exempted from load shedding as they needed new infrastructure.
READ: Number of hospitals exempted from load shedding rises from 37 to 72
Dhlomo said the department in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was currently conducting a due diligence exercise for the installation of solar panels at all public health facilities.
"This exercise is inclusive of solar PV + battery storage as backup for the critical areas of the hospital types is based on an estimated demand profile on clinics, community health centres, district, regional, central and specialised hospitals."
READ: Water shortages a health hazard for hospital patients, warns expert
He said the purpose of the department and CSIR study was to identify a critical consumption for key areas of each health facility, stating:
He mentioned the study would assist to map out the roll-out implementation programme and identify areas that could be funded by other donors, such as USAID.
"The study is expected to be completed during April and the expected date for the implementation roll-out of the solar energy programme is June this year, provided there is enough budget allocated from the national state of disaster. The implementation approach is to accelerate the programme and finish it within the timeline of the national state of disaster."
