Under the CSR initiative of Syneos Health the project was successfully implemented for improved health services for socio-economic development in selected villages of Yamkeshwar Block in Pauri Garwal district of Uttarakhand.

Together IIEC and Syneos Health decided to focus on providing solar electricity to Primary Health Clinics (PHCs), in the selected 4 villages. The PHC’s were able to function beyond 2.00pm (owing to limited facilities earlier) and provide 24x7 care and functioning to the local patients/ villagers. The availability of  24x 7 electricity in the Primary Health Clinics also ensured availability of resources to store necessary and life-saving medicines which was missing earlier.

Through this initiative, IIEC has been able to mobilise the support of local communities and doctors and help build a sense of ownership amongst the villagers for this project. Prior to the installation of the solar home lighting systems, ‘No Objection Letters’ were obtained from the doctors of all the four PHCs and from the Gram Panchayats. This ensured the commitment from both the doctors and the Gram Panchayat to install and maintain the solar systems. This letters also authorized Syneos Health and IIEC for the installation of solar lighting systems in their Primary Health Clinics. Once the project was successfully completed, there was assurance from the doctors that the staff of PHCs will be responsible for taking care and maintenance of the solar lighting systems from the day of installation. This was done through an official transfer of ownership to the Gram Panchayats and the doctors-in-charge, again an example of building a sense of ownership for the local community. To further ensure the sustainability of the project IIEC and SSCF organized a training program for the PHC staff and Gram Sabha members for the day to day maintenance of the solar lighting systems.

Syneos Health and IIEC have installed Solar Lighting System in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) of 4 villages in Yamkeshwar Block of Uttarakhand which has impacted over 3000 households. The focus of the program was to provide solar electricity to Primary Health Centres so that they are able to function more effectively and provide better care facilities for the local communities. The availability of 24x7 electricity in Primary Health Centres also ensured availability of resources to store necessary and life-saving medicines; a service which was not available earlier.

Through this initiative, IIEC has been able to mobilize the support of local communities and doctors and help build a sense of ownership amongst the villagers for this project. The local villagers and doctors in charge were trained on the day-to-day maintenance of the lighting system. Along with this, the project and equipment were officially transferred to the Gram Panchayats (village council) and the doctors-in-charge, an example of building a sense of ownership amongst the local community. Given the success of this project, IIEC is working to expand the scope of this initiative to more villages along with the inclusion of the education sector.