New help for 95,000 clinics without access to power

From the newsletter

Zambia has launched two United Nations-supported projects to provide sustainable energy solutions for health facilities and improve healthcare delivery. The $7 million Solar for Health Project, supported by the Global Fund, will connect 427 health facilities to solar power, thereby reducing power outages that disrupt essential services.

• In Sub-Saharan Africa, a total of 25,000 healthcare facilities are entirely without electricity, while around 70,000 health centres experience an unreliable electrical supply.

• In Zambia, the $250,000 SDG-Energy Transition Project will foster inclusive clean energy enterprises. These initiatives aim to ensure resilient and uninterrupted healthcare access.

More details

• At the launch, Acting Health Minister Douglas Syakalima emphasised that the Solar for Health initiative will enhance the resilience of the healthcare system while reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. He recognised that addressing Zambia’s energy challenges requires collaborative innovation that extends beyond government efforts. Syakalima also pointed out that the clean energy enterprise project will connect energy providers, developers, and rural end-users, ensuring access to quality renewable energy solutions that can transform both health and energy systems.

• UN Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali stated that the projects are timely, as Zambia is facing an energy crisis that is affecting its economy, people, and environment. She underscored that deploying renewable energy in health systems is a crucial strategy to combat climate change and improve rural infrastructure. The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zambia’s long-term energy reforms to promote inclusive and sustainable development.

• Reliable energy access is fundamental to delivering quality healthcare. It powers lighting, refrigeration, temperature and humidity control systems, and ICT networks that are critical for managing information and medical supplies. Health facilities rely on this infrastructure to preserve vaccines, ensure safe deliveries, and maintain hygiene standards. Without a consistent energy source, the quality of services declines, particularly in rural or off-grid areas of Africa, where energy disruptions can severely impact patient outcomes and health worker efficiency.

• Transitioning to distributed renewable energy strengthens climate resilience within health systems. Solar and other renewable sources offer a sustainable solution to power outages caused by extreme weather events, droughts, or infrastructure failures. According to the WHO’s Operational Framework on Climate Resilient Health, integrating clean energy and innovative technologies in health facilities helps mitigate climate impacts while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing noisy, polluting diesel generators with solar systems not only benefits the environment but also reduces costs. Facilities typically see a full return on investment within 2–3 years, allowing them to allocate funds to essential health services.

• Currently, as highlighted in the report Energizing Health: Accelerating Electricity Access in Healthcare Facilities, nearly 1 billion people in Africa rely on healthcare facilities that either lack reliable electricity access or have no electricity at all. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, a total 25,000 healthcare facilities are entirely without electricity, while around 70,000 health centres experience an unreliable electrical supply. Furthermore, urban healthcare facilities generally report greater access to and more reliable electricity than their rural counterparts within the same country.

Our take

• Health facilities in Africa require reliable electricity to save lives. In the absence of power, essential services such as vaccine storage, lighting, and life-saving equipment are compromised, particularly in remote areas that experience frequent or total power outages.

• Implementing solar energy in health centres provides a dependable and affordable power source for health services. This not only supports climate resilience but also advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), creates green jobs, and strengthens local solar markets.

• Africa can draw valuable lessons from Togo and Nigeria. Togo has electrified 314 health centres and installed solar water heaters in 122 facilities, enhancing hygiene and care. Meanwhile, Nigeria has powered 100 rural hospitals and aims to reach an additional 400 within the next year.