Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, the state of Assam boasts diverse cultures and landscapes. Yet, amidst its scenic beauty, the state is also vulnerable to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, and fires. In fact, 15 out of India’s 25 most vulnerable districts to climate change are in Assam, with the district of Karimganj topping the list. Natural disasters exacerbate healthcare challenges in the state, as landslides, floods, and earthquakes cause frequent power outages and impede healthcare delivery. This makes building a resilient healthcare system a priority for Assam.
To help address these healthcare challenges, WRI India partnered with HSBC India and the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) to install decentralized renewable energy (DRE) systems with a total of 80 kWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) power and 288 kWh of battery energy storage across 7 healthcare facilities in Assam. These facilities cater to rural and underprivileged communities, providing 445 beds and serving over 27 lakh people. WRI India and its partners also delivered technical training on the utilization, operation, and maintenance of these DRE systems to 176 representatives from these facilities. This initiative seeks to improve healthcare service delivery while reducing emissions, contributing to equitable development in the state’s healthcare system.
