Fri Nov 22 04:30:47 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka Launches “Saura Swasthya” Initiative to Solarize 5,000 Health Facilities
**Bengaluru, November 22, 2024** – The Karnataka government launched the “Saura Swasthya” initiative yesterday, aiming to install solar power systems in 5,000 government health facilities across the state by 2026. This ₹120 crore project, a collaboration between the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the SELCO Foundation, is expected to benefit over 30 million people in rural communities.
Over 1,152 health facilities have already been equipped with solar power, with Raichur district now entirely reliant on solar energy for its healthcare services. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the initiative will ensure 24/7 healthcare delivery and significantly reduce electricity costs. The project is projected to save 500,000 units of electricity monthly, translating to approximately ₹50 lakh in savings for government hospitals each month and over ₹100 crore over the next decade.
Electricity bills at already-solarised facilities have reportedly decreased by up to 70%, with over 3 megawatts of solar electricity already generated. The project will be monitored via a Remote Monitoring System, and solar device maintenance will be managed through the Saura e-Mitra app. Minister Rao emphasized the initiative’s role in providing quality, uninterrupted healthcare to rural populations.
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