Light Every Birth

The Problem

Globally, 300,000 women and one million newborns die from pregnancy complications each year. Deaths could be prevented with access to emergency obstetric care. With 59% of health facilities in low-and-middle-income countries lacking reliable electricity, midwives struggle, using candlelight or kerosene, hospitals cannot perform critical procedures, or patients are turned away.

The Solution

Responding to the critical need for light, electricity, and safe childbirth in frontline health facilities, We Care Solar launched Light Every Birth, an international initiative featuring award-winning Solar Suitcases, capacity-building programs, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Solar Suitcases are compact, rugged, institutional-grade solar electric systems designed for maternal healthcare. These easy to install and maintain solutions include power generation and storage, bright 70,000 LED medical lights, customized rechargeable headlamps, a fetal heart rate monitor and installation hardware. Maintenance-free lithium ferrous phosphate batteries are easily replaced after five years.

We Care Solar launched Light Every Birth to address energy poverty at the systems level. The organization works with governments and NGOs to identify energy-poor public health centers, equip them with sustainable technology, lead technical training on solar installation, operation and servicing, and create an ecosystem of support. Our programs foster local ownership and ensure long-term sustainability.

Stats

Light Every Birth has reached 19.9 million mothers and newborns across its partner health facilities.