MON, Nagaland – Health staff across Nagaland's Mon district recently completed a comprehensive four-day training program focused on the operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and the utilization of the Saura e-Mitra application. The initiative, held from June 24 to 27 across various locations including the District Hospital Conference Hall, Aboi Block, and Tobu Block, marks a significant step towards bolstering energy resilience in the state's healthcare infrastructure, particularly in off-grid and energy-deficient areas.

Jointly organized by the SELCO Foundation and the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), the program aimed to build the technical capacity of personnel managing solar-powered health facilities. Dr. Aonungdoktoshi Ao, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Mon, underscored the collaborative nature of the effort, expressing gratitude to the facilitating organizations and emphasizing the training's critical role in strengthening grassroots health systems.

A total of 131 health staff, representing 80 solar-powered health centers within Mon district, participated in the intensive modules. The curriculum encompassed a wide array of technical competencies essential for effective system management, including solar panel inspection, preventive and corrective maintenance protocols, battery health monitoring, inverter troubleshooting, and precise fault identification. Participants also received instruction on critical safety procedures, routine cleaning practices, meticulous documentation, efficient load management strategies, and established escalation protocols for technical support requirements.

A pivotal element of the training was the introduction and practical application of the Saura e-Mitra app. This operational tool is specifically designed to streamline incident reporting and resolution processes for decentralized renewable energy systems within healthcare settings. Officials highlighted that the app's deployment is expected to significantly enhance system reliability and expedite the resolution of any energy-related operational issues, ensuring consistent power availability for medical services.

The training sessions were facilitated by Imli, with key district and block-level health officials, including Dr. Aonungdoktoshi Ao, Epidemiologist (IDSP) Dr. Elizabeth, Senior Medical Officer Dr. Nungshikokba (Aboi CHC), Senior Medical Officer Dr. Khekhrie (Tobu CHC), and Block Programme Managers from Aboi and Tizit, in attendance. This program is part of a broader state-level strategy to integrate all solar-powered health centers across Nagaland under a unified operational framework, with phase-wise training scheduled for health staff in other districts.

Currently, 524 health facilities throughout Nagaland have been equipped with solar power, a result of concerted efforts by the SELCO Foundation, UNDP, and the Nagaland Health Project, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Family Welfare. In Mon district alone, the SELCO Foundation supported 60 of the 80 solar-powered centers, with the remaining 20 facilitated through the Nagaland Health Project, demonstrating a robust commitment to sustainable energy solutions in public health.