The Health & Family Welfare (HFW) department in Arunachal Pradesh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NGOs Hans Foundation and SELCO Foundation to strengthen Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the state. The objective is to improve healthcare infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and ensure better accessibility to quality healthcare, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The MoU aims to cover 14 HWCs and six PHCs, with a total investment of nearly ₹18 crore, supported by the IKEA Foundation of Netherlands and other partners. The project will have a significant impact on the lives of 1.2 million people in the state, providing reliable lighting, cooling, and critical services like maternal and child care, immunization, and diagnostics.
The SELCO Foundation will install solar energy systems in all 572 health centers, which will reduce energy and equipment-related costs for the department and prevent wastage of vital resources like vaccines. The initiative will also create better working conditions for around 3000 health staff working in remote health facilities.
The project will also help reduce the state’s carbon footprint by adding 1,126 kWp of solar energy capacity, which will offset approximately 17,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions over a 20-year period and contribute to India’s zero-emission goal. The health facilities will also be resilient to climate risks and disasters, ensuring that critical health services are not disrupted by power outages.
The Health and Family Welfare Minister, Biyuram Wahge, expressed his appreciation for the NGOs’ willingness to partner with the state and assured them that the government will provide necessary support to achieve the goals of the project. The project is expected to have a significant positive impact on the state’s healthcare sector and the lives of its citizens.