VOA标准英语2012--'Solar Suitcase' Aids Doctors in Developing World

 

'Solar Suitcase' Aids Doctors in Developing World

Every expectant mother wants a healthy baby. But many clinics in sub-Saharan Africa lack the basics that doctors and nurses need to ensure safe deliveries for parent and child. One of these basics is reliable electricity.

"It's not easy [to help our patients]. Taking deliveries. [Delivering] a baby without lights. We have to look for lamps or anything. The patient can be bleeding, anything can happen… And there is no way, no light, nothing to see what is going on - what is happening to the patient," said Zainab Yusuf, a clinic worker in Kano.

American obstetrician Laura Stachel was appalled¹ by the lack of light when she first visited Africa in 2008.

"In the middle of the night there was no light whatsoever² and they were using kerosene³ lanterns to try and examine patients with severe medical conditions," explained Stachel. "I was watching a C-section where the lights went out and the doctors had to finish by my own flashlight."

Stachel turned to her husband to help her come up with a solution.

"My husband is a solar educator and an innovator," Stachel noted⁴. "And he said, 'Laura, when you come back, maybe we can think of something at least help the electricity situation in the hospital.' So together, when I got back from Nigeria, we thought about what we could to make a difference in this one hospital. And we thought we could use solar electricity because the sun is a free source of fuel."

They began with large solar panels⁵ put together in their backyard. Today, suitcase-sized kits⁷ provide the "power of light" to almost 200 clinics around the world.

"I asked my husband if he could put together a kit⁶ that was small enough for me to fit in my suitcase so I could slip through customs easily," Stachel recalled. "And I also didn't know a lot about solar, so I said could you make this easy enough for me to use. So 'put together everything that you can so I can just put together a couple of wires at the end and show them what to do.'"

On a recent training trip to Nigeria, Stachel's suitcase of reliable power was well-received:

"We will be very happy, and everything will go on smoothly," said clinic worker Yusuf.

Despite this success, Dr. Stachel says adequate lighting⁸ and reliable electricity are only the beginning of the story. Beyond that, she says it's necessary to make sure that health workers also have the right education, tools and support to do their jobs. 

1 appalled   

v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的

参考例句：

• The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊。
• They were appalled by the reports of the nuclear war. 他们被核战争的报道吓坏了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

3 kerosene   

n.(kerosine)煤油，火油

参考例句：

• It is like putting out a fire with kerosene.这就像用煤油灭火。
• Instead of electricity,there were kerosene lanterns.没有电，有煤油灯。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 panels   

镶板( panel的名词复数 )； 面； （门、墙等上面的）嵌板； 控制板

参考例句：

• One of the glass panels in the front door was cracked. 前门的一块方玻璃破裂了。
• Make sure the panels are treated with a wood preservative. 确保镶板用木材防腐剂处理过。

6 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

7 kits   

衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件

参考例句：

• Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
• Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品，玩具和游戏，木制的玩具，智力玩具，手艺装备。

8 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。