Addis Ababa: A new pilot project aimed at converting more than 300 government health institutions in Ethiopia to renewable electric energy has been officially launched. The project seeks to power these health facilities with solar energy, benefitting 6.7 million citizens across the country. This initiative is the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). The project is designed to improve healthcare services by providing solar-powered electricity to health institutions located in remote areas, far from the national power grid. Through this initiative, 6.7 million citizens in selected regions will have access to enhanced healthcare services. At the launch event, Dr. Alemayehu Hunduma, a representative of the Ministry of Health, was joined by distinguished guests including Thabani Maphosa , a senior expert at GAVI, and UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia, Dr. Aboubacar Kampo , UNICEF Ethiopia's representative. Alemayehu high lighted that this project will improve healthcare delivery in 305 health institutions across Ethiopia. He also emphasized that the initiative will help reduce maternal and child mortality by ensuring more reliable healthcare services. Thabani Maphosa from GAVI pointed out that this project is part of a larger 35 million USD initiative aimed at bringing solar power to 1,000 health institutions across four countries. This solar energy project will not only improve healthcare outcomes but also contribute to Ethiopia's efforts to expand access to renewable energy, particularly in underserved and off-grid areas. Source: Ethiopian News Agency