The call by stakeholders in the health sector for government to provide solar electric grids to power public hospitals cannot come too early. Health care institutions have not been spared of power-related problems afflicting virtually all other sectors; and the result has been catastrophic, given their life or death circumstances. Indeed, before the current moves to provide solar power, the healthcare crisis in Nigeria has reached a critical juncture, exacerbated by a dire power situation that has left hospitals struggling to provide essential services. Recent reports highlight the severe impact of the persistent power crisis on healthcare facilities, with many hospitals facing operational shutdowns due to exorbitant energy costs and unreliable electricity supply.
In response to the persistent challenges faced by hospitals in Nigeria due to unreliable electricity supply, stakeholders in the health sector have called on the Federal Government to urgently implement solar grid systems in healthcare facilities across the country.
They lamented that hospitals often struggle with inadequate power supply, which jeopardises the functioning of essential medical equipment and disrupts critical services. While advising the government to recognise hospitals as essential infrastructure deserving of reliable and subsidised electricity supply, the experts said there is a need for proactive measures to implement both immediate relief and sustainable energy solutions to safeguard healthcare delivery nationwide.
A former chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki, emphasised the necessity of sustainable energy solutions, noting that erratic power supply poses a significant threat to patient safety and healthcare delivery. He stressed the need for robust measures such as solar grids to ensure continuous and reliable electricity.
A major newspaper headline “Healthcare on life support as hospitals buckle under power crisis” captures this reality. It is undisputable that the Nigerian healthcare system is under immense strain, particularly in secondary and tertiary hospitals where power outages have become commonplace.
Facilities are reportedly spending over N60 million monthly on diesel to fuel generators, costs that are often passed on to patients. This situation has led to increased medical fees and significant disruptions in patient care, including postponed surgeries and inadequate emergency services. For instance, at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, patients faced protests due to prolonged outages that crippled hospital service. Despite the federal government’s recent disbursement of N45 billion to support 8,000 primary health centers the effectiveness of these funds remains questionable without a corresponding improvement in infrastructure and energy supply.
The Federal Government may have started buying in to the calls for solar power when it disclosed that it has electrified no fewer than 15 federal universities and teaching hospitals with hybrid solar grids with a combined capacity of 35.5 megawatts. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, stated this at the just-concluded Alliance for Rural Electrification Energy Access Forum in Lagos. Aliyu disclosed that the aim was to supply 24-hour electricity to 350,000 students while giving 50,000 lecturers access to electricity. He explained that the Nigeria Electrification Project, funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, was a $550m project. One of the beneficiary universities, he said, is the University of Maiduguri and its teaching hospital, where a 12MW solar grid was installed.
It is imperative and urgent that these gestures be extended to all public hospitals. Also, the reliance on diesel generators not only inflates operational costs but also poses environmental risks, underscoring the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives.
To mitigate the crippling effects of power outages, stakeholders must prioritise the integration of renewable energy solutions such as solar power. Kenya is an example of countries that have successfully implemented solar projects in healthcare facilities, significantly reducing their dependency on unreliable grid electricity.
Again, in Nigeria, initiatives like those undertaken by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are already paving the way by installing solar systems in hospitals reliant on generators. The Nigerian government should incentivise similar projects across the nation to enhance energy security in healthcare.
Furthermore, encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be a game-changer for funding and managing healthcare facilities. Thus, by collaborating with private entities, the government can leverage additional resources and expertise to improve infrastructure and service delivery. Again, there are successful models from countries like South Africa, which demonstrate how PPPs can enhance efficiency and access to quality healthcare services.
In addition, the Federal Government must ensure that funds allocated for health centers are used effectively for infrastructure development and maintenance for the upgrading of existing facilities to be more resilient against power outages and ensuring that backup systems are reliable. This requires regular audits and transparent reporting on fund utilisation which can help build trust among stakeholders.
Engaging communities in health initiatives can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards local health services and facilities; and awareness programmes about available services and how to access them can improve patient turnout and resource utilisation at health centers.
Although, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) has made strides by allocating funds to primary health centres, it must adopt a more holistic approach by integrating energy solutions into its healthcare strategy. This includes advocating for policies that support renewable energy investments in healthcare facilities and ensuring that all new health infrastructures are designed with sustainable energy sources in mind.
Additionally, the FMHSW should actively collaborate with development agencies and NGOs to implement pilot projects showcasing successful renewable energy applications in healthcare settings.
Given the power crisis and its negative impact on the health sector, addressing the situation requires immediate action from all stakeholders involved, from government agencies to private sector partners and community members. For Nigeria to revitalise its healthcare system, all hands must be on deck; and it is imperative to adopt innovative strategies such as renewable energy integration, fostering public-private partnerships, investing in infrastructure and engaging communities. Saving lives depend on quality health facilities with constant power supply!
Source: The Guardian