The Waniati Maternal Waiting Home in Eastern Highlands Province now has access to much needed reliable electricity to support its service.

This will enable proper lighting, vaccine refrigeration, and storage to support safer maternal healthcare and improved health services for mothers, newborns, and the wider community after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) installed an Off-Grid Solar System last week.

Reliable lighting and electricity have long been a challenge for the Maternal Waiting Home and Postnatal Integrated Clinic which has been serving pregnant women, newborn babies and other sick patients from remote communities in the province.

DFAT under the Pawarim Komuniti Partnership (PKP) program had connected a 10kW solar power system for the Centre. The system was successfully installed by Niugini Electrical Professionals.

The Waniti maternal waiting home in a statement thanked the DFAT.

"We sincerely thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for its continued support under the Pawarim Komuniti Partnership (PKP) Program, as well as the contractor for their excellent work. For rural health facilities like the Waniati Maternal Waiting Home, reliable solar power is essential for maintaining daily operations and uninterrupted immunization services.”

“Powered by solar energy, this new system provides a practical, sustainable solution for an off-grid facility, helping health workers store vaccines safely and keep them readily available for surrounding communities.”

Beyond the installation itself, local health workers and community members were trained to operate and monitor the system to establish local ownership and ensures long-term sustainability.