'We Care Solar' wins Zayed Sustainability Prize in Health Category

Off-grid, portable maternity and medical device - "Solar Suitcase" - wins health solution at UAE's pioneering global sustainability award

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Zayed Sustainability Prize

Jan 22, 2019, 06:02 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- We Care Solar, the US-based provider of efficient solar energy systems to health facilities in off-grid regions, won the 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize (Health Category), for its portable maternity and medical "Solar Suitcase." The announcement was made at the Prize's annual awards ceremony, on the official opening day of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - January 14, 2019: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (L), presents an award to Dr. Laura Stachel, Executive Director and Co-founder of 'We Care Solar,' winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize

Presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, representatives from We Care Solar accepted the award before an audience of esteemed international dignitaries and thousands of guests in attendance.

With child mortality and women's health being two significant issues in developing countries, the winning solution in this year's Zayed Sustainability Prize was We Care Solar's "Solar Suitcase." Currently being used in 3,325 medical facilities, in 27 African countries; these devices have already been used to assist medical professionals in over 1.8 million deliveries.

The obstetric Solar Suitcase has made an impact on the health and safety outcomes of millions of women and children and this can be from something as simple as a device that offers: medical quality lighting, fetal monitors, solar panels, and other capabilities. We Care Solar has committed to use the prize funds to deepen its presence in Africa and to establish a regional center.

Laura Stachel, Executive Director and Co-Founder of We Care Solar, said: "We are grateful to the Zayed Sustainability Prize for sharing our vision that solar and sustainable energy technologies provide safe, reliable, and affordable solutions to the global challenge of maternal and newborn mortality. We look forward to working in partnership with this community to bring clean, sustainable energy to safe motherhood programmes around the world."

About the Zayed Sustainability Prize

Established by the UAE leadership in 2008 as the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is a global award inspired by the sustainability vision and legacy of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Zayed Sustainability Prize categories are Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools.

For more information, please visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com

SOURCE Zayed Sustainability Prize