Reliable Health Care for Mahakulung Basic Hospital

Solar-powered Healthcare

Mahakulung Basic Hospital is a 15-bed public health facility operated by Mahakulung Rural Municipality in Bung, Solukhumbu, in Nepal's Koshi Province. The hospital is the primary healthcare facility for the residents of a remote, mountainous region serving approx. 11,966 patients, providing a broad range of services including emergency care, outpatient consultations, surgical procedures such as cesarean sections and appendectomies, laboratory and radiology services, dental care, maternal and child health, immunization, and pharmacy services.

The hospital faces severely unreliable electricity with frequent power cuts and very low voltage. Asplund Earth Alliance is bringing a 30kW solar with 81.92 kWh of LFP battery backup to the hospital to provide 24/7 energy access and backup for critical loads. This will allow the hospital to generate approximately 120–135 kWh/day.

The hospital’s average monthly electric bill is around $600-$700. When the power goes out, they rely on emergency torch lights for essential lighting. Solar can significantly reduce the cost of electricity for the hospital because they can use the power solar generates during the day. These funds can be used to provide more and better services to the surrounding communities including avoiding interruptions in care caused by the unreliable electric grid.