Close to 300,000 women and more than 1 million newborns die each year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, mostly in Africa and Asia, where health facilities often lack reliable electricity. Midwives and doctors struggle by candlelight, kerosene lantern, and cell phone lights to provide lifesaving care. We Care Solar is an international NGO started by Dr. Laura Stachel (UC Berkeley, DrPH 2020) to address energy poverty in maternal healthcare. Their innovative Solar Suitcases offer medical-surgical lights, medical devices, and power for emergency communication. We Care Solar launched the Light Every Birth initiative in multiple sub-Saharan countries, enabling 14 million mothers and newborns to access safer childbirth services.
In collaboration with the UC Berkeley Bixby Center for Population, Health and Sustainability, We Care Solar (WCS) will hold a discussion with its leaders from Uganda and Zimbabwe as they discuss their experience bringing light, power, and improved healthcare to thousands of energy-poor communities.
Please join us!
When: Thursday, November 16, 2023, 3pm - 4pm
Where: School of Public Health, 2121 Berkeley Way, 1st Floor, Room 1102
Moderator: Laura E. Stachel, MD, DrPH, Executive Director, the co-founder of We Care Solar
Panelists:
Ambrose Katungi Muhwezi, MD, MPH, Africa Regional Director
Feza Kabasweka Greene, MSc, Deputy Director of Africa Programs
Wadson Muchemwa, CEO of ZimEnergy.
Review panelists' professional profiles, please click here.
Introduction by Ndola Prata, MD, MSc, the chair of the Bixby Center
See you at the discussion!
Sincerely,
UC Berkeley Bixby Center
The Bixby Center is committed to making its facilities, activities, and events accessible. To request accommodations for this event, please contact the Bixby Center Event Coordinator: phone 510-642-6519 or email bixbycenter@berkeley.edu, in addition to completing this form with as much advance notice as possible.