By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : July 23, 2026 6:22 pm
Implemented by SELCO Foundation, the initiative brings renewable energy-powered healthcare infrastructure and digital medical technologies to underserved communities
Beyond2020, the flagship global impact initiative of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has deployed six solar-powered healthcare centres in Karnataka, expanding access to reliable primary healthcare services for more than 200,000 people living in underserved communities.
Implemented by SELCO Foundation, the 2018 recipient of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the initiative equips remote healthcare facilities with solar energy systems and energy-efficient medical technologies to improve healthcare delivery in areas where unreliable electricity remains a major challenge.
The deployment is part of the UAE-led Beyond2020 programme, which supports the global scale-up of innovative sustainability solutions developed by previous Zayed Sustainability Prize winners.
The six health facilities are equipped with solar photovoltaic systems capable of generating between 2 kW and 15 kW of electricity under peak sunlight conditions.
The systems are supported by off-grid infrastructure and lithium-ion battery storage that can provide up to two days of backup power, ensuring uninterrupted operation of essential healthcare services.
The project also introduces a range of energy-efficient medical technologies designed to strengthen maternal, neonatal and primary healthcare.
These include portable baby warmers, phototherapy units, foetal monitors, assisted ventilation systems, vaccine carriers with temperature control, digital stethoscopes, spirometers, telemedicine units, tele-dermatology platforms and digital microscopes, enabling both on-site and remote diagnosis.
As part of the programme, SELCO Foundation also partnered with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement to deploy a mobile health clinic that extends healthcare services to remote communities and supports the long-term sustainability of the initiative.
H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention, said, "Through Beyond2020, the UAE continues to champion solutions that improve lives, strengthen resilience and advance global cooperation. The sustained impact of this deployment in India reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and expanding equitable access to essential healthcare services."
Dr. Harish Hande, CEO, SELCO Foundation, said, “Energy is a catalyst for better healthcare. By redesigning health facilities through solar innovation, we can make care both accessible and aspirational, bringing quality services even to the most remote communities. Our broader goal is to expand this model nationwide so that sustainable energy continues to drive improved health outcomes for those who need it most," he said.