Project: Electrifying Rural Health Care Centres Beyond The Grid
Country & region/location: Nigeria, Doma - Nasarawa State
Category: Energy & Health
The healthcare challenges in Nigeria are pressing, with high maternal and child mortality rates attributed to preventable diseases like malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. The lack of reliable power in healthcare centers exacerbates these issues, with only 60% of centers receiving intermittent electricity and the remaining 40% lacking access entirely. This dire situation not only impacts healthcare services but also demoralizes medical practitioners.
The Husk project aims to address this by providing clean and reliable power to rural healthcare centers in Doma, which are either far from potentially being connected to power from a mini-grid or do not have reliable power from the main grid at all. Four healthcare centers catering to 951 patients monthly will be equipped with solar hybrid systems, benefiting over 40,000 community members. Engaging 44 community healthcare workers and a midwife, this initiative ensures uninterrupted power supply, fostering improved and accessible healthcare delivery. Moreover, the project will enhance healthcare efficiency by supplying vaccine fridges, microscopes, and other necessary equipment powered by the installed solar systems. Comprehensive training for healthcare workers on utilizing these appliances will be provided.
Additionally, the centers will offer phone charging, battery swapping stations, and e-bike charging for patients and visitors, generating income to cover maintenance and service costs. Local support will drive project installation, and technicians from the community will receive training to operate and maintain the systems and manage the extra services provided.
By providing reliable power and essential healthcare equipment, these centers aim to significantly increase patient access to quality healthcare within their communities, reducing the need for lengthy journeys to distant facilities. This initiative not only improves healthcare services but also creates sustainable solutions catering to the community's energy needs.
Expected results:
- 4 healthcare centers powered by clean reliable energy sources and equipped with basic equipment, such as vaccine fridges, microscopes and other basic healthcare equipment to function efficiently
- 24/7 access to healthcare centers, with reliable power even at night-time
- Reduction in travel time to access basic healthcare services
- Reduction in maternal and child mortality by 10% in the first 3 years
- Improved job security and retention of community health workers
- Provide additional services for the communities: phone charging, battery charging/swapping station and ice blocks sale
- Hiring of 8 people - 2 people for each PHC – 1 technician/operator and 1 security guard
