A Non-Government Organisation (NGO), eHealth Africa has passionately appealed to governments worldwide, with a particular focus on Nigeria, to augment investments in renewable energy.
The objective is to ameliorate the prevailing power supply shortages faced by healthcare facilities in rural areas. According to Atef Fawaz, the Executive Director of the group, improved power supply derived from renewable energy sources can substantially mitigate the avoidable mortality rate in healthcare facilities, especially in underserved regions.
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The Global Healthcare Energy Conundrum
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has recently conducted research, revealing that nearly a billion people across the globe are heavily reliant on healthcare facilities that suffer from inadequate power supply. Furthermore, an additional study examining healthcare establishments in developing nations has disclosed that over 60 percent of such institutions grapple with unreliable power availability.
Atef Fawaz voiced his concerns, stating, “It is quite disturbing that healthcare facilities, which are already under immense strain due to insufficient staffing and equipment, are still grappling with the issue of inadequate power supply, which is paramount for their day-to-day operations.”
Indeed, it is no secret that Nigeria continues to grapple with a considerable power supply deficit, with electricity generation hovering between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts nationwide, and distribution falling even further below the mark. This predicament significantly restricts the power supply’s reach to rural areas, where healthcare facilities are in dire need of reliable energy sources to maintain operations.
Medical Equipment’s Reliance on Power Supply
Atef Fawaz also highlighted the detrimental effect of inadequate power supply and the lack of investment in alternative sources on the quality of medical equipment in healthcare facilities. He explained, “Many of the medical apparatuses crucial for healthcare services heavily depend on a steady power supply to function effectively.” There have been numerous reports of patients losing their lives due to inadequate medical attention caused by erratic power supply, particularly in primary healthcare services.
Impacts on Maternal and Child Mortality
The inadequate power supply situation has dire repercussions on maternal and child mortality rates, especially in rural regions, as healthcare facilities continue to suffer from irregular power availability without access to alternative energy sources. For example, the opportunity to deliver vaccines to primary healthcare facilities in Sokoto State is often compromised due to a lack of cold chain equipment necessary to maintain vaccines at the required temperature. This is primarily due to insufficient power supply in these facilities, and sadly, the issue extends to numerous states across the federation.
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Challenges Faced by Large Hospitals
Even larger hospitals are not exempt from the power supply predicament. They currently rely on backup generators to perform surgical operations and other medical procedures. This further compounds the healthcare energy challenge. Fawaz lamented, “Unfortunately, with the increasing cost of petroleum products such as Premium Motor Spirit and diesel, the expenses associated with running healthcare facilities are bound to rise.” Regrettably, this burden is expected to fall heavily on the shoulders of low-income individuals, already struggling to afford basic necessities. Consequently, many resort to self-medication until their ailments become severe, which can lead to avoidable deaths.
In light of these challenges, eHealth Africa calls on governments and stakeholders to prioritize investments in renewable energy solutions for healthcare facilities. This approach will not only enhance the quality of healthcare services but also contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to good health and well-being, affordable and clean energy, and the alleviation of poverty. The global community’s commitment to addressing these issues is critical for the health and well-being of all people, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.