Jirogasy is still in the news. The young company specialising in connected objects and made in Madagascar solar kits has just completed the electrification of 11 dispensaries in the locality of Antsirabé in the centre of the big island. These health centres benefit from electricity produced by solar generators that the start-up company manufactures in Madagascar.
The commissioning of these new installations in the dispensaries was the subject of an inauguration ceremony attended by the local authorities, including Vy Vato Rakotomaditra Rakotovao, the governor of the Vakinankaratra region to which Antsirabé belongs. The commissioning of clean energy systems should enable these health establishments to better care for the sick in this period of health crisis due to the coronavirus.
“Covid-19 has made it more urgent than ever to implement committed and innovative projects, particularly in the face of the country’s immense energy challenges. It seemed obvious to us to provide services to dispensaries at this time, when the health emergency is draining all efforts towards the strengthening of resilient health systems,” says Yann Kasay, the founder of Jirogasy.
At least 19 health facilities electrified since February
The electrification of the 11 health centres is part of a partnership between the start-up launched in 2017 and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Agriculture and Health in Tropical Environments (EAST) which aims to “improve the conditions of care for disadvantaged populations”.
Installation of the panels for powering the solar generators ©Jirogasy
According to Jirogasy, since the Covid-19 was launched, 19 dispensaries have been electrified thanks to its solar generators. Apart from the locality of Antsirabé, where 11 clinics are now running on clean energy, solar generators have also been installed in 8 health centres in the Analamenga region of central Madagascar, between February and September 2020. These other clinics have been electrified as part of a partnership with the NGO Santé Sud based in Marseille, France.
For the electrification of the 19 dispensaries in the regions of Vakinankaratra and Analamenga, “Jirogasy produces the machines and installs them, while the partner NGOs make them functional, carrying out regular checks and providing medical training”, explains the start-up based in Tananarive.
Jean Marie Takouleu