Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.
Heat insulation and energy-efficient equipment in public hospitals
Project completed
Construction work in the maternity wards of the Taurage hospital has finished. Improved insulation protects the newborns from the cold and the heat. ©
SECO
Switzerland is supporting the improvement of energy efficiency in 24 Lithuanian maternity wards. Thanks to improved building insulation, women in childbirth and their newborn babies enjoy better conditions, hospital operating costs are reduced and environmental protection is promoted.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lithuania |
Protecting the environment
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
|
21.12.2011
- 30.04.2017 |
CHF 19’000’000
|
- Improved energy efficiency leading to a reduction of operating costs and enhanced environmental protection.
- Improved indoor climate in maternity wards.
- Improved safety and reliability of medical gas supply systems.
- The highest priority is improved thermal insulation. To this end, doors, windows, roofs and walls are being renovated or replaced.
- The hospitals' building technology – heating and water supply systems, electrical installations, air supply and ventilation – is being modernised. Heating pumps and solar collectors as well as LED lights are installed.
- The medical oxygen supply systems are being improved.
- In 24 hospitals mothers and their newborns can benefit from an improved indoor climate.
- Improved thermal insulation and operational energy efficient engineering systems in 24 hospitals: 16,7 GWh energy are saved per year; heat consumption after renovation amounts to 102,5 kwh/m2 per year; on average energy costs in the amount of 45 300 Euro per year can be saved in each hospital.
- Amount of renewable energy produced: 880 Mwh/year (solar collectors), 1 080 Mwh/year (photovoltaics) and 5 575 Mwh/year (heating pumps).
- Lithuanian Ministry of Finance
-
Project number UX00501
| Background |
Switzerland's present support has its roots in Swiss transition assistance provided during the 1990s, which brought about substantive improvements in the health of mothers and children in Lithuania and was received very positively there. |
| Objectives |
|
| Target groups |
The pregnant and delivering women with their newborns as well as the hospital employees benefit from the improved indoor climate in the maternity wards. |
| Activities |
|
| Results |
Achieved results: |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SECO |
| Credit area |
Swiss Contribution to the enlarged EU |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Implementing partner Lithuanian Ministry of Health and 24 Lithuanian hospitals
|
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 19’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 18’670’204 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 21.12.2011 - 30.04.2017 (Completed) |
Medical equipment will be improved in 27 hospitals.
Special transport vehicles for newborns are being provided for three hospitals located in isolated areas.
1376 specialists are being trained in the use of modern technologies.
70 diagnosis and treatment guidelines are being developed to standardise and systematise the most important pathological conditions.
A comprehensive database of patient data is being developed.
The highest priority was improved thermal insulation. To this end, doors, windows, roofs and walls are being renovated or replaced.
The hospitals' building technology – heating and water supply systems, electrical installations, air supply and ventilation – is being modernised. The installation of heat pumps and solar collectors will enable the use of renewable energy.
The medical oxygen supply systems are being improved.
Energy efficiency, modern equipment and well trained hospital personnel in Lithuania
Despite enormous progress in the Lithuanian healthcare system since the early 1990s, the infant and maternal mortality rates in Lithuania were in 2010 still higher than the European average. The healthcare system was well organised, but its infrastructure and equipment were inadequate – a situation that affected both basic equipment and the use of new medical technologies.
Energy efficiency also had some catching up to do: most Lithuanian hospitals were built between 1960 and 1980 to the Soviet standard of the time. Their outdated machines consumed a great deal of energy and the buildings were poorly insulated.
Reducing infant and maternal mortality
The following measures will help reduce the mortality rates of pregnant women, mothers and newborns:
Energy efficiency increased and operating costs reduced
Lithuania's geographical location means extreme temperature fluctuations, from hot days in summer to the icy cold of winter. Thanks to improved building insulation, women in childbirth and their newborn babies enjoy better conditions, hospital operating costs are reduced and environmental protection is being promoted. The following measures for improving energy efficiency were taken in 24 of the 27 hospitals mentioned above:
Continuity of support
Switzerland's present support has its roots in Swiss transition assistance provided during the 1990s, which brought about substantive improvements in the health of mothers and children in Lithuania and was received very positively there. Hospital partnerships between Switzerland and Lithuania are therefore being developed and expanded as part of the project.
