KATHMANDU, July 16: Panasonic Holdings Corporation and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have partnered to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services in climate-vulnerable communities in Nepal by providing 198 solar lanterns to selected health facilities and female community health volunteers in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts, according to a press statement issued by UNFPA.
The in-kind contribution agreement was signed virtually, with representatives participating from Kathmandu and Tokyo. The initiative is part of the Japan-funded project titled “Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services and Adaptive Capacity in Nepal,” implemented by UNFPA.
According to the statement, the project aims to address critical gaps in health facilities serving pregnant women and newborns in areas vulnerable to climate-related disasters, including landslides, floods and severe cold waves.
Tapping into the sun
UNFPA Country Representative in Nepal Sriram Haridass expressed gratitude to Panasonic for the contribution, saying the solar lanterns would help frontline health workers continue providing essential maternal and newborn care during power outages and emergencies.
“Continuity of essential health services often depends on simple but reliable solutions in remote and disaster-prone communities,” Haridass said, according to the statement.
Representing Panasonic, Akiyo Doumoto, General Manager of the Corporate Citizenship Office, said the company’s “LIGHT UP THE FUTURE” initiative was aimed at promoting sustainable development and expanding opportunities in education, health and income generation for off-grid communities.
According to the statement, Jajarkot and Rautahat face significant climate and energy challenges. Jajarkot, a remote hill district, is still recovering from the 2023 earthquake and has limited access to reliable electricity in many areas, while low-lying Rautahat frequently suffers from monsoon floods and lacks adequate power backup systems.
The solar lanterns are expected to help ensure uninterrupted maternal and newborn healthcare services in selected facilities, benefiting an estimated 47,898 women and newborns annually, the statement said.
The lanterns will also support night-time referrals and home visits by female community health volunteers, in addition to improving lighting at health facilities.
UNFPA said the contribution builds on a broader initiative that has assessed 20 health facilities, refurbished 10 facilities to improve climate resilience, and supported the development of nine climate-adaptive municipal plans.
Panasonic has been partnering with UNFPA since 2022 to provide solar lanterns to off-grid communities across Africa and Asia. Through its “LIGHT UP THE FUTURE” initiative launched in 2013, Panasonic has distributed around 130,000 solar lanterns to 36 countries in collaboration with about 160 partners, including non-governmental organizations and international agencies, according to the statement.
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