Across Sub-Saharan Africa, the dire situation in healthcare facilities regarding electricity is stark: an astonishing 25,000 facilities operate without any access to electricity whatsoever, while a further 70,000 endure the frustration and dangers of an unreliable electrical supply.
The absence or unpredictability of power severely hampers the ability of medical professionals to provide adequate care, hindering their capacity to treat patients effectively and potentially costing lives.Recognizing this pressing issue, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has launched the Powering Healthcare program, which aims to catalyze change on a monumental scale.
By equipping governments and development partners with evidence-based insights and actionable solutions, the initiative seeks to achieve universal, sustainable electrification of health facilities throughout the region by the ambitious deadline of 2030.
The Powering Healthcare program operates on multiple fronts. Firstly, it serves as a rallying point, inspiring governments and stakeholders to make stronger commitments towards electrifying healthcare facilities.
These commitments are not merely symbolic; they translate into tangible action plans and national projects aimed at bringing reliable electricity to every health center in need. Additionally, the program focuses on mobilizing both public and private investments, leveraging financial resources to fund electrification projects and infrastructure upgrades.
Finally, it emphasizes the importance of intervention sustainability, ensuring that electrification efforts are not short-lived but are instead designed to endure and thrive in the long term.
By addressing the critical issue of electricity access in healthcare facilities head-on, SEforALL’s Powering Healthcare program holds the promise of transforming healthcare delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment, it seeks to create a future where every patient can rely on the availability of electricity to receive the care they need, when they need it most.
