Maternity clinic reaps the benefits of solar hot water

Submitted by Samson Mhlanga
Published 3 years, 11 months ago

Mother Paula Maternity Clinic is situated in the suburb of Paradise Park in the town of Marondera, near to the capital, Harare. The clinic is operated and managed by the Catholic Nuns of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, and is named after the co-foundress of the congregation.

From Samson 3

The clinic is the brainchild of Sister Nellie-Auxilia Zakazaka, a Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood, who is a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After qualifying as a specialist, Sister Zakazaka was given permission to convert an existing building into a clinic and the facility was established, opening its doors in March 2020 with a staff complement of six.

The facility had difficulty coping with the consistently inflated electric tariffs and the clinic approached a local installer who had installed a solar system at a nearby orphanage.

"The clinic expresses its profound gratitude to SOLTRAIN for assistance in obtaining and installing five 200 litre and one 100 litre systems which have assisted greatly in the smooth running of our clinic," says Sister Nellie-Auxilia. "Marondera's climate is cold in winter with temperatures frequently reaching one degree or less. With the installation of these sola thermal systems, our staff and the patients will always have a warm bath and hot water for cleaning and other purposes. In terms of cost savings, the installations have cut our electricity consumption from 920 kWh to 366 kWh a month, which is a great relief," she adds.

From Samson 2
Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

SOLTRAIN+ is offering support for twenty master’s or PhD theses dedicated to the topic of renewable heating an…

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Selma Festus

Call for Exhibitors: Solar Thermal and Renewable Heating Companies

Call for Exhibitors: Solar Thermal and Renewable Heating Companies

The SADC Sustainable Energy Week is an excellent opportunity to highlight your innovations and connect with potentia…

5 months, 1 week ago

Selma Festus

Intensive Practical and Theoretical Training Activities in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Intensive Practical and Theoretical Training Activities in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Theoretical Training Courses

From October 14th t…

6 months ago

Rudi Moschik

Intensive Practical and Theoretical Training Activities in Gaborone, Botswana

Intensive Practical and Theoretical Training Activities in Gaborone, Botswana

Practical Training Course in Gaborone

In addition to theoretical training, SOLTRAIN also offers practical …

6 months ago

Rudi Moschik

Call for Papers – Paper/Poster Session: 8th SOLTRAIN Conference 2025

Call for Papers – Paper/Poster Session: 8th SOLTRAIN Conference 2025

We are excited to announce the Call for Papers for the 8th Southern African Renewable Heating and Cooling Training D…

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Selma Festus

The 8th SOLTRAIN CONFERENCE hosted by the Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), University of Botswana

The 8th SOLTRAIN CONFERENCE hosted by the Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), University of Botswana

The 8th SOLTRAIN conference will be held in Gaborone, Botswana (December 4-5, 2024), at the Ga…

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Kevin Nwaigwe

International Conference Participation of SOLTRAIN+ project team members in Spain and Cyprus

International Conference Participation of SOLTRAIN+ project team members in Spain and Cyprus

In September 2024, more than 10 SOLTRAIN+ project team members attended the 

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Samson Mhlanga and Kevin Nwaigwe

7th SADC Industrial Week Supported by SOLTRAIN+ NUST Zimbabwe and SACREEE

7th SADC Industrial Week Supported by SOLTRAIN+ NUST Zimbabwe and SACREEE

Industrialisation of the SADC region can be achieved through energy efficiency and solar thermal energy, as supporte…

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Samson Mhlanga

SANEDI Showcases SOLTRAIN+ at UJ Energy Technology Seminar, Sparking Interest Among Students

SANEDI Showcases SOLTRAIN+ at UJ Energy Technology Seminar, Sparking Interest Among Students

On August 16, 2024, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Department of Geography, Envir…

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Bhekani Ntuli

Three Bursaries awarded for Studies on Solar Thermal Technologies

Three Bursaries awarded for Studies on Solar Thermal Technologies

The first SOLTRAIN+ bursary call, launched in April 2024, attracted 11 research student submissions. Three bursaries…

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Monika Spörk-Dür