A Green health centre near Bengaluru
A rural public health centre at Kumbalgodu, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, now benefits from sustainable solar energy, thanks to the support from Rotary Club of Bangalore Lakeside, RID 3191, and its CSR partner Pai & Pai Chemicals.
Recognising the company’s interest to invest in environmental projects, “we proposed installing solar power for the PHC, and its founder director Kruthika Pai liked the idea,” said Kashinath Prabhu, district CSR director, and past president of the club. The PHC serves over 10 villages and gets a footfall of 40,000 visitors annually.
The newly installed solar panels address the persistent challenge of erratic power supply, ensuring consistent electricity for essential medical equipment, including the vaccine freezer at the centre. A microgrid system also provides emergency power backup across the PHC. Solar-powered streetlights have been installed on the campus, and any surplus energy is fed back to the main grid, furthering the centre’s sustainable footprint.
The ‘Green PHC’ initiative extends beyond solar power, with efforts to create a green landscape around the centre. The centre is located on a two-acre land; “we have planted medicinal plants, fruit-bearing trees and a well-manicured lawn, enhancing both environmental and visual appeal. This transformation brings a serene, green atmosphere to the PHC, benefitting both patients and staff,” said Prabhu. The entire project was completed at a cost of ₹12 lakh. The club has tied up with a local nursery to maintain the new greenery.
In the next phase, a rain water harvesting system and rechargeable borewells will be introduced, ensuring that the centre becomes even more self-sufficient and sustainable in the long term, he added.
