A Meeting EssentialTech was held on Tuesday July 16 2013 on the theme of accessible and sustainable solutions for the electrification of hospitals in developing countries. This has been an opportunity for 2 members of the CURES center to present the results of their research on the electrical infrastructure of distrct hospital in Cameroon and some new projects aiming at improving the situation.
Various aspects were addressed in accordance with the EssentialTech approach which aims to address the problem as a whole from a "techno-socio-economic” viewpoint.
1 - Appropriate Technologies:
- Importance of developing solutions and processes adapted to the context (climate, low-skilled personnel, purchasing power, etc.)
- The need to deal with the technical problems as a whole (equipment, infrastructure and processes),
e.g., logistics can be a very important part of the costs! - Collaboration with local actors is essential, not only in terms ofthe manufacturing and installation of technological solutions but also for the creation (R & D) and the development of economic models. Local actors know better than anyone the socio-cultural specificities, needs and local constraints!
- Importance of setting up an automatic or manual monitoring system of the installations and their operation.
2 - Capacities and Processes:
- Installation and maintenance: lack of skilled technicians, accountability, funding, spare parts, etc.
- Problem with equipment maintenance linked to cultural, societal and organizational specificities (perception of time, priorities, ownership, accountability, etc.)
- Administrative and institutional aspect etc.
3 - Deployment Models, Financial Models:
- Business model between micro-entrepreneurs (e.g., sunlamps) and structural projects (e.g., large dams)
- Problem of access to capital, mentoring of entrepreneurs, risk and failure management, etc.
- Importance of involving the local community (e.g., village people or hospital staff) so that it appropriates the solution and assumes the functioning – whilst at the same avoiding issues that can occur when the responsibility is left to an individual or small group.
Presentations:
- EPFL – EssentialTech
Mr. Bertrand Klaiber - Introduction and Moderator
- CURES
Dr. Nicolas Crettenand, Coordinator, University Research Center on Energy for Health (CURES) in Yaoundé/Cameroon
« Presentation of the CURES Center, its mission and its approach based on research, training and local entrepreneurship »
Mr. Guy Merlin Ngounou, PhD ENSPY (Ecole Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique Yaoundé)
« Study of the electrical infrastructure and the problems of network, equipment and processes in districts hospitals in Cameroon »
- EPFL – DESL (Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory)
Dr. Dimitri Torregrossa
« Analysis of different types of batteries based on their cost, performance and life in the sub-Saharan Africa context »
- HES-SO VALAIS and STUDER INNOTEC SA
Mr. Pierre-Olivier Moix, Deputy Scientist
« Lessons learned from electrification projects of hospitals in collaboration with local actors »
- INGÉNIEURS & ARCHITECTES SOLIDAIRES (IAS)
Mr. Bernard BÉROUD, President of the IAS Association
« Appropriate solutions of local electricity production, users training, technology transfer and remote monitoring »
- CEAS (Centre Ecologique Albert Schweitzer)
Mr. Matthias Rüetschi
« Micro-hydraulic facilities in Madagascar: How to integrate local partners in the development, manufacturing and use of the technology »
