The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to address the crippling energy crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare sector by hosting a national stakeholders’ dialogue focused on power solutions for Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made the announcement on Friday in Abuja, where he also inaugurated a committee tasked with strategizing and implementing sustainable energy solutions for hospitals.
With soaring electricity costs and inconsistent power supply threatening the efficiency of healthcare delivery, the minister emphasized the urgent need for innovative, long-term solutions.
Rethinking Energy for Hospitals
Despite existing initiatives like a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals and the installation of solar mini-grids in select facilities, Salako admitted that these measures have fallen short of providing a lasting fix.
“We can no longer afford business as usual. The time has come to develop and adopt smart energy solutions that will strengthen our health system and relieve hospitals of their overwhelming power costs,” he stated.
He also revealed that some hospitals have attempted alternative energy solutions, but challenges like fire hazards, battery failures, infrastructure theft, and maintenance issues have hindered their success.
A Collaborative Approach for Sustainable Solutions
Salako urged hospitals to explore Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to attract private sector investments for alternative and renewable energy sources. He tasked Medical Directors with developing strategic business plans to integrate sustainable energy solutions into hospital operations.
The upcoming dialogue will bring together experts from the health and power sectors to:
- Assess existing power policies and their impact on healthcare facilities.
- Identify renewable energy solutions, backup power systems, and energy-efficient strategies.
- Strengthen public-private partnerships for electricity supply to hospitals.
- Develop a collaborative action plan to implement energy reforms.
A communiqué will be issued after the dialogue, outlining key decisions and a monitoring framework for implementation.
With this initiative, the government aims to transform the energy landscape of Nigeria’s healthcare sector, ensuring hospitals can focus on saving lives without the burden of unreliable power supply.
