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Powering Health

Electrification Options for Developing Country Health Facilities

Types of Refrigerators

Descriptions of standard electric and solar powered refrigerators for blood banks are provided here.

Standard Electric Blood Bank Refrigerators

This equipment is the preferred choice in laboratories with a 24 hour/day supply of electricity from the national electricity grid, though this equipment is also connected to a standby electricity generator in case of a power failure. Manufacturers provide different sizes to suit various needs. The key limitations for optimal performance are the hold-over time during power failure (in the absence of a standby generator) and the cooling down time.

Solar Powered Blood Bank Refrigerators

In many developing countries, blood transfusions may take place in health centers or district hospitals that do not have access to the national electricity grid. In some health facilities, the electricity generator for a health centre may only be used after sunset. In countries with a sufficient quantity of sunshine throughout the year, solar powered refrigerators may be the answer. The following flow chart provides guidance on where solar refrigeration may be recommended.

Flow chart: If the facility is on the national grid and has rare or short power failure, use standard electric equipment. If the facility is on the national grid and power failure is not rare or short, use ice-lined compression equipment. If the facility is not on the grid and has enough sunshine for to generate more than 4.5kw/m2/day in the worst month of the year, use solar-powered compression equipment. Otherwise, it is not feasible to store blood at the facility.
Source: Adapted from WHO-EPI Product Information Sheets, 2000

Ice-lined Blood Bank Refrigerators

Ice-lined refrigerators are designed to have a longer hold-over time. Unlike standard electric blood bank refrigerators, they may hold the temperature below +10°C for up to 72 hours following a power cut. This is achieved through lining of the cabinet with water/ice containers or freezer sections with ice packs positioned adjacent to the blood storage area. During periods of power failure and load shedding, the ice packs act as a means of cold storage to protect the units of blood stored in the refrigerator. Ice-lined refrigerators are strongly recommended for blood banks located in areas with unreliable power supply and frequent power cuts, typically in district or regional centers.