Saura Swasthya: Karnataka Solarizes 3,600 Health Centres, Leads India in Green Healthcare
Under the 'Saura Swasthya' initiative, Karnataka became the first state to install solar power in 3,600 public health centres in a year, cutting electricity bills by 80-85% and ensuring 24/7 rural healthcare.
New Delhi: Karnataka has achieved a significant national first by becoming the leading State in India to install solar power units in as many as 3,600 public health centres within just one year, under its 'Saura Swasthya' initiative. This pioneering move by the Health Department prioritizes green energy to reduce operational costs and ensure reliable healthcare delivery.
Major Achievements and Impact
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National First: Karnataka is the first state to achieve solarization of 3,600 health centres in a year.
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Cost Savings: The adoption of solar power units has resulted in substantial savings on electricity bills, estimated at 80% to 85%. This translates to power savings of over three megawatts and a foreseen monthly saving of about ₹50 lakh for the government.
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Uninterrupted Healthcare: The initiative ensures 24x7 power availability at these facilities, which is crucial for running critical equipment, preserving vaccines, and strengthening healthcare delivery in rural and last-mile communities.
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Beneficiaries: The project is expected to benefit more than three crore rural residents through uninterrupted power supply.
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Implementation: The initiative is implemented in partnership with the SELCO Foundation, supported by CSR funds, and uses varying capacities of solar units (e.g., 0.25 kW to 1 kW for sub-centres and 4 to 5 kW for Primary Health Centres).
Karnataka's goal is to solarize 5,000 health facilities by 2026, making this model a blueprint for sustainable healthcare across the country.