• To install a solar power system in the hospital, generating a reliable supply of renewable electricity.
• Solar power system to provide a 24 hour supply of electricity for operation of equipment such as x-rays, CT scans and surgical theatres.
• Sufficient cool storage for essential medications.
• Electricity will help provide optimal conditions for treatment and surgeries, reduce operational risks due to poor visibility.

The Eritrean refugees in Sudan have been suffering in silence for the past 50 years, with little attention from aid organizations or the UN. Given refuge by Sudan, a host country, itself poverty-stricken, with scarce resources to share, it is difficult for both refugees and citizens living under the poverty line, to access basic necessities. 

Refugees, IDPs and local poor people are presented with multi-level challenges as they lack adequate and essential food, water, healthcare and education. The situation is exacerbated by the daily influx of refugees, seasonal adverse weather, spread of preventable infection and diseases, further compounded with the onset of COVID-19. 

The country's already fragile health system has come under an enormous strain during the civil war, as facilities were destroyed or abandoned. Due to the failing health care system, the mortality rate caused by treatable diseases is on the rise. Child malnutrition and Anaemia rates in the eastern Sudan's states, are the highest in the country, with an estimated 30 per cent of children under the age of five severely malnourished. 

Many children lose their lives due to malnutrition-related health complications but this is one of the most solvable health problems and providing a supplementary feeding programme, extra food, basic medical treatment and occupational therapy can save the lives of many children. 

The ramifications of a poor medical system are felt at all levels of the refugee society as a simple outbreak of communicable disease and infection can constitute the destruction of their community. 

The recent outbreak of measles in 2019 has placed thousands of children, elderly and adults at risk which will only continue to worsen without medical care.

Since 1998, the communities of South-Toker, home to some of the most marginalised and vulnerable families, have not been able to receive basic medical care. 

The remote region of South-Toker is in one of the hottest and driest regions in Africa, and comprises several villages with an approx population of 370,000. South Tokar villages are Isolated and far from any modern infrastructure, means that the villages are cut off from life-saving basic medical care. These communities lack means of transportation to reach medical facilities further afield. 

For the residents of South-Tokar, treatable diseases such as cholera can be fatal, and unfortunately, it is common for people to die from preventable and curable illnesses and infections. 

Medical care has been non-existent for the community of South-Toker and surrounding areas. Until December 2019, the Aqiq district did not have any hospitals or medical practitioners leading to the loss of many lives, especially amongst the poorest and the most vulnerable in the society such as children, pregnant mothers, elderly and disabled. 

Garora Hospital, was a purpose built building, left abandoned for over a decade unable to serve and benefit the community. Ethar Relief intervened to support a network of healthcare professionals to reestablish a medical facility. There are many obstacles to overcome to make the hospital fully functional, one of which is a reliable source of electricity. A consistent and affordable supply of electricity is essential to operate the medical equipment and operating units. The hospital requires 24hr reliable electricity to function effectively and perform life saving treatments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that women are 300 times more likely to die during childbirth in developing countries. The lack of reliable electricity is a major contributor to this disparity. 

Our mission at Ethar Relief is to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all ages in line with the UN Sustainable goals. We aim to make Garora hospital a sustainable healthcare facility, providing live-saving medical aid to those residing South Tokar an surrounding areas. The provision of reliable electricity, through a solar power system will take us one step closer to making this a reality.

Health care is driven by electricity which is a wide-spread problem across the region. Solar power systems offer huge potential for generating off-grid, renewable energy. It will enable the hospital to become, and remain fully functional without the insecurity of disruptive electricity supply and escalating utility costs. Renewable energy will allow the Garora Hospital to use a low-cost, reliable and independent source of electricity. Where electricity is one of the main problems for remote areas and medical facilities, a low-cost solution is transformative, sustainable and lifesaving. 

Ethar Relief has secured the support of a well-organised and dedicated network of doctors who are committed to the hospital and the provision of electricity will attract healthcare professionals and needed specialists from other regions.

Installing a solar power system (as a one of cost) will help to serve 400,00 plus people who live in South-Toker and neighbouring areas. An operation hospital will attract refugees and patients from other surrounding regions and communities.

The hospital can begin to provide life-saving treatment and control the spread of disease such as cholera, malnutrition, diphtheria and diarrhoea which has claimed the lives of the most vulnerable members such as children, elderly and pregnant mothers. The provision of electricity will enable use of modern medical equipment and help create optimal conditions for procedures, including:

• Equipment, medication for childbirth care.
• Surgeries and more complex treatments
• X-ray machines and scans to diagnose broken bones and illnesses related to internal organ damage.
• CT scans to diagnose conditions, injuries, internal organs infections, stroke and cancer.
• Sterilisation equipment that will allow doctors to have a sterile environment to conduct safe medical procedures.
• Electrical storage units for medicines, blood bags and vaccines.