ICMR’s ‘Solar for healthcare’ initiative
Q. ICMR’s ‘Solar for healthcare’ initiative is aimed at which of the following?- Published on 30 Jun 16a. Using sun’s rays for cancer treatment
b. Utilising sun’s rays in skin treatment
c. Provide uninterrupted electricity supply
d. Harnessing sun’s rays to artificially produce Vitamin D essential for humans
ANSWER: Provide uninterrupted electricity supply
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed an MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a policy research institution, to launch a new ‘Initiative on Solar for Healthcare’.
- The collaboration will focus on providing effective health care delivery at the last mile by reducing uncertainty in critical infrastructure, particularly electricity supply via cost effective solar-based solutions.
- Under this collaboration, on a pilot basis, ICMR will install solar systems at select PHCs in partnership with three state governments and evaluate its impact on healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
- The aim of the collaboration is to create resilient health systems in rural India, benefitting primarily women and children.
- 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.
