How solar energy is helping on improving healthcare in rural areas

BESTMED Medical Scheme has solidi-fied its partnership with the non-profit organisation Unjani Clinic, making significant strides in healthcare delivery across the Eastern Cape and Free State regions.

- ASHLEY LECHMAN

Through generous donations, includ-ing an ultrasound machine and a solar power unit, Bestmed is addressing two pressing challenges: maternal health and power instability that have crippled healthcare services in rural areas.

This latest initiative follows Bestmed’s earlier contributions of two innovative Health Pods, launched in 2022 and 2023, which have collectively served over 3,600 patients in George and surrounding areas in the Western Cape, as well as the community between Dewetsdorp and Wepener in the Free State.

These efforts reflect Bestmed’s com-mitment to enhancing primary health-care accessibility and affordability in rural settings.

Advancing maternal health in Sterkspruit

According to a recent report from the Commission for Gender Equality, the Eastern Cape faces significant challenges in delivering quality healthcare services to women, particularly concerning maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

Factors such as inadequate infrastruc-ture and healthcare worker shortages contribute to this dilemma, especially in remote areas.