USAID Global Development Alliance (GDA) in partnership with ORANGE Sierra Leone has launched the Health-Grid project to support the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS).

Health-Grid will install and support sustainable energy systems for twenty-six (26) remote, off-grid healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone.

Orange Sierra Leone as implementing partner is supplying the technical ability for the installation of the PV systems and will also supply Internet connectivity in all twenty-six (26) community healthcare centers. The energy systems will be based on solar/photovoltaic ("PV") electricity generation equipment, which will be sized to meet the needs of each of the 26 health facilities (ranging from 5KWH to 10KWH).

Orange will also help ensure long-term sustainability by setting up a technical support “hotline” for Health-Grid O&M, building on its existing Internet connectivity support hotline.

The main objective of this project is to increase energy services available to 26 off-grid healthcare centers in Sierra Leone to improve healthcare delivery, increase utilization of Internet services in these off-grid healthcare centers to improve information and data dissemination, and Pilot and test eight (8) water purification services in selected healthcare centers to provide portable water for medical and community utilization.

It is expected that the roll-out of this project will enable remote healthcare centers to receive a reliable supply of electricity, enabling healthcare workers to use critical equipment, access the Internet and provide them and their patients with a reliable source of clean water.

The electricity produced by the PV systems will enable a cold chain for vaccine storage and distribution in these off-grid communities. Host communities will receive help from improved public health outcomes and from the opportunity to access surplus electricity, internet connectivity and clean water.

In addition, combining these three services and closely developed relationships with communities will allow facilities to provide sustainable life-saving services, such as seeing emergency patients at night, access to vaccines, information, and rapid coordination with other healthcare providers.

A fundamental goal of Health-Grid is to ensure the installed equipment is supported and functional for the long term. In this regard, Health-Grid will set up a Sustainability Fund to support ongoing O&M for these systems. The installed systems will include cloud-based monitoring systems that will allow for real-time tracking of the equipment’s performance.

These monitoring systems will help Orange prevent and respond quickly to maintenance needs at each site.

The Implementation of HealthGrid Sierra Leone involves a robust coalition of partner organizations, including:

USAID Mission for Guinea and Sierra Leone is a key financial resource provider for the GDA and co-creator of the HealthGrid Methodology.

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance is a key financial resource provider for the GDA as well as fundamental liaison support with the government of Sierra Leone and technical support to ensure that the installed systems meet the requirements for effective cold-chain systems.

Orange Sierra Leone serves as the MNO responsible for obtaining and installing the energy and connectivity equipment and for long-term O&M support for all the equipment (energy, connectivity, and WASH); Orange Sierra Leone is also supplying considerable in-kind contributions of skilled Labor, management, and equipment to enable the execution of the GDA.

RESOLVE, with the support of its affiliates in Sierra Leone (Regrow West Africa and Dalan Development Consultants), is serving as the "Prime" for GDA and is a key financial resource provider.
World Vision, lead Healthgrid interventions for the improvement of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services at the respective healthcare facilities.

Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry selected the off-grid healthcare facilities that will be served by the GDA and will provide ongoing coordination support with all relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies.

LIST OF BENEFICIARY FACILITIES

1.Baomae CHC
2.Barmoi CHP
3. Blama Massaquoi CHC
4. Bonthe District Cold Store
5. Buedu CHC
6. Dambala CHC
7. Fadugu CHC
8. Gambia CHC
9. Gbinty CHC
10. Heremakono CHC
11. Jaiama CHC
12. Kamalo CHC
13. Kambia District Cold Store
14. Kawula CHC
15. Koinadugu District Cold Store
16. Mamansosanka CHC
17. Mana II CHC
18. Markoma CHP
19. Massam CHC
20. Mayepoh CHP
21. Motuo
22. Rogbere Junction CHC
23. Talia CHC
24. Tikonko(Faabu) CHC
25. Tobanda CHC
26. Yormandu CHC