ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IN RURAL OFF-GRID AREAS and AFFORDABLE, CLEAN PORTABLE ENERGY
The Challenge
VAC is a market-driven global company at the forefront of introducing innovative technologies into solid and sustainable business cases, to provide unique cost effective solutions to major social challenges
Access to healthcare in rural off-grid areas of Africa is very poor. Uganda has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios globally, with only one doctor per 25,000 people, far below the WHO recommendation of 1 per 1,000 people. Healthcare facilities are often poorly equipped, lacking basic amenities and essential medical equipment. Rural areas are disproportionately affected, with long distances to the nearest health center and limited transportation options, creating logistical barriers that prevent timely access to care (https://generisonline.com/an-overview-of-the-healthcare-system-in-uganda/). This uneven distribution contributes to health inequities between urban and rural populations.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to create sustainable social impact and release potential of communities by addressing SDGs
Who Are We
VAC Solar is an Anglo-European group
Anthony Dunnett CBE, CEO
A recognised UK Ministerial, Government & Private Sector Advisor. NEM FCDO, Restructured over 30+ £10m-£500m businesses. Founded & ran major international public-private partnership (operating in 105 countries). Responsible Royal Bank of Canada’s overseas “intensive care” debt portfolio. Established HSBC’s UK property & construction division (UK £6bn loan portfolio). HSBC’s Finance Director for their UK Global Corporate & Institutional Banking businesses. Received the CBE from HM Queen Elisabeth for services to economic development.
dr Frank Heemskerk, CTO
Serial entrepreneur, with 15 years academic research experience, plus 23+ years business development and investment into 10+ companies. Part of the team that sold a Biotech company for several hundred M€ to a major pharma company. Global expert on research management and Open Innovation, focused on bringing knowledge from academia to the
market, Independent evaluator for European Commission, Ex-President of EARMA (European Association of Research Managers & Administrators), co-founder of ASTP-ProTon Europe (pan-European association for academic knowledge transfer). Evaluator for European Commission.
Our Approach
- Strategy: first, by providing 24/7 power to the facilities and the surrounding communicaties we ensure there is light, power for critical operations and to make sure all medical staff has power on their phones. Second, we support where possible basic diagnostics and cooling facilities (eg for biologics and vaccines). Third, we scout for new (portable and affordable) technologies that allow local diagnostics in the rural ares to alleviate the pressure on overburdened clinics. We have a MOU with the Ministry of Health of Uganda, who give us support to access all rural clinics across Uganda, beginning with the North /West Nile region where we work with several partners and have established already our network since 2019.Releasing potential through Innovation and global and local Partnerships, connecting international know-how and technologies to address the needs of: individuals, households, businesses, healthcare, education, agri-businesses and community-focussed organisations.
- Through local distribution networks we reach out to many households, small businesses, schools, churches, clinics and schools where our POPO battery packs are used daily
- Ensuring secure and affordable access to clean power unlocking the potential to have light, charge phones, run small appliances, create jobs, support small businesses and create new ways of enhancing the livelihoods
Our Mission
Innovative solutions: as intermediary we use our global network, especially in Europe through our core partner Smart Health Applications UK Ltd, to scout for new solutions to provide access to innovative technologies that are fit for African context. We work with two approaches: 1) basic affordable diagnostics that are able to operate under Africa conditions and 2) portable (digital) healthcare solutions that can be taken into the field, as to support local triage (local treatment or selection which patients need to be transported to the clinic) to relief the capacity in the clinics.
Worldwide 1.3 billion people do not have access to secure power.
We are working now in several off-grid areas in Uganda using smart portable batteries on a Pay As You Go basis. POPO aims to serve the 20 million Ugandans at the bottom of the economic pyramid, meeting their basic daily needs for electricity. POPO’s smart batteries are the only affordable solution. The Government’s strategy recognises that these needs cannot be met by the present mini-grid or solar home solutions.
Our Business
1) portable diagnostics that do not require training or expensive lab consumables (a non-PCR technology operating at room temperature for quick identification of infectious diseases)
2) digital health solutions and tele-medicine for local diagnostics (video consult linked to digital medical records, portable echo equipment working on batteries).
Low-cost and flexible access to energy through secure and scalable battery rental platform, which requires no deposit, has no credit checks and requires no fixed payment structure.
Get In Touch
VAC Solar UK Ltd. Lonsdale Gate, Lonsdale Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1NU Kent, United Kingdom
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