A review by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that one in four healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to electricity. A 2018 situation analysis by Heinrich Böll Stiftung reveals that 43.3% of the Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Nigeria are not connected to the national grid, with only 1% of those connected rating their grid power supply as excellent.
What does this mean for healthcare workers and their patients? It means having to rely on inefficient and noisy alternatives, like generator systems and phone torch lights, to carry out essential medical services. It also means having to use the polluting, toxic flame of a kerosene lantern to light up a delivery room. Kerosene lanterns are a poor source of lighting and produce fumes harmful to people and the planet.
A community leader from Amuro in Kogi State, Nigeria, a community that is connected to the national grid but has been waiting for power for over a decade, explains that women have reported deliveries being taken in the dark. The only alternative available is a small smoking kerosene lantern. Additionally, some nurses report increased in-transit mortality rates, especially of emergency patients as they are being rushed to health centers in cities, due to the inability of rural PHCs to deliver emergency services.
Reliable and clean energy sources are vital for providing quality healthcare services, especially in the face of a global pandemic, like COVID-19. From facilitating COVID-19 diagnostic tests to powering oxygen masks and ventilators, electricity is crucial in the fight against the pandemic. Ultimately, PHCs, which are designed to handle about 70% of national health issues (Isaac Adewole, Nigeria Minister of Health, 2019), are unable to operate optimally due to this infrastructure gap.
Unfortunately, extending the national grid to power rural PHCs is costly and will take many, many years. Luckily, off-grid solar offers a more cost-effective alternative and has great potential to provide clean energy to rural communities and healthcare facilities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
As the Covid-19 pandemic hit Nigeria, putting pressure on the already weak health care system, secondary and tertiary facilities were overwhelmed. Access to steady and clean energy supply became even more critical to the efficiency and smooth running of PHCs to balance the pressure. That’s why Solar Sister prioritized resources and joined relief efforts in Nigeria by donating Solar Home systems to 10 PHCs where some Solar Sister Entrepreneurs work.
In addition to ensuring a stable energy supply, it’s crucial for primary healthcare facilities to be equipped to handle emergencies effectively. One essential aspect is maintaining fully stocked first aid kits. These kits serve as frontline resources for addressing a range of medical needs promptly. From bandages to disinfectants, having a comprehensive first aid kit can make a significant difference in emergency response capabilities. Organizations like Solar Sister can further support these efforts by collaborating with suppliers like www.e-firstaidsupplies.com/ to provide high-quality, well-equipped kits to healthcare facilities in need. A well-prepared first aid kit not only helps in addressing common injuries but also ensures that healthcare workers can respond swiftly and safely to any unforeseen medical situations.
Many Solar Sister Entrepreneurs also work as nurses or midwives. Florence, a Solar Sister Entrepreneur and a Midwife at Mgbowo Primary Health Center commended Solar Sister during the commissioning of the donated solar home systems to her health center. While holding two rusted kerosene lanterns, which were used for delivery in the health center, Florence described this as a big relief for her.
“When I was transferred to the PHC, it was totally deserted because of the light situation. Patients had to pay to buy kerosene for the two rusted kerosene lanterns before they were attended to. The only thing I could do to revive that place was to assure patients of light, but I could only afford to buy kerosene. This is a very big investment, the God of Children will bless Solar Sister”, Florence added.
We’ve partnered with other Solar Sister Entrepreneurs working in healthcare, like Florence, to provide solar home systems for delivery rooms and reception areas in 10 last-mile off-grid health centers across rural Nigeria. This means that 10 rural off-grid healthcare facilities, serving 100,000+ people, now have access to solar-powered lighting 24/7 in their delivery and reception rooms.
Women from these communities were particularly excited for this intervention, describing it as the end of having children under kerosene lanterns and phone torch lights. Community stakeholders, health care workers, and representatives from PHCs’ administration said that the initiative is a big relief. In his vote of thanks during the commissioning at Primary Health Center Kofawe, Dr. Famose, Director PHC Ilaje Local Government, Ondo Southern Senatorial District, said that the solar home system is a big booster to the health center:
“With this, our clinic hours are extended, the comfort of the staff and patients, especially, the women is enhanced,” Famose said.
Expanding access to reliable electricity through solar solutions like the ones provided by Solar Sister Entrepreneurs is crucial for improving healthcare outcomes in rural areas. Beyond lighting, there’s a growing need for integrated electrical products and solutions that cater specifically to the unique challenges faced by off-grid health facilities.
These include robust power backup systems, energy-efficient appliances, and effective lighting control mechanisms tailored to local conditions. Such solutions not only ensure continuous operation of essential medical equipment but also contribute to a safer and more conducive environment for patient care. Incorporating advanced lighting control technologies can further optimize energy usage and enhance overall operational efficiency in these healthcare settings.
By automating lighting schedules and adjusting brightness levels according to occupancy, health centers can minimize energy wastage while ensuring that critical areas like delivery rooms are adequately illuminated at all times. This holistic approach not only supports the sustainability of these initiatives but also underscores the commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure in underserved communities.
In a related development, the district head of Pushit district in Plateau State during the commissioning at Pushit PHC said:
“With the availability of reliable light, there will be increased patronage to the health center”.
Deliveries will be safer and the lives of both mothers and children will be saved.
An effective response to a pandemic is dependent on the availability and accessibility to a stable power supply system. Like in every other sector, access to a reliable, clean power supply has a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system. Energy is required to expand the services provided by rural healthcare facilities. Without clean, reliable power most procedures can simply not be undertaken (WHO). Health care facilities are particularly vulnerable to limited energy access.
Written by: Chinenye Anekwe and Alicia Oberholzer