The Impact of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Supply-Chain Challenges on Rural Healthcare Service Delivery in Zimbabwe (Published)

Rural hospitals in Zimbabwe have consistently faced energy challenges, especially in powering machines which are critical in hospital operations. This issue is exacerbated by the erratic electricity supply from the national grid. This study was therefore initiated with the aim of establishing the extent of LP Gas (LPG) use in rural hospitals. Key areas of the study were to ascertain the major benefits and challenges accrued from the use of LPG in rural settings as alternative energy sources and the possible strategies to enhance the effectiveness of using LPG in vaccine programmes in rural hospitals. The research processes adopted a mixed methods philosophy and the population was composed of 320 individuals, which comprised nurses, laboratory staff, pharmaceutical department and maintenance staff, from provincial hospitals, private LPG suppliers, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in the purchase and supply of LPG.

Keywords: alternate energy sources; rural hospitals; supply-chain