….health sector demands stable power supply – Ndili

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Country Director, PharmAccess, Njide Ndili, and others have been inaugurated into the Federal Government’s Implementation Committee for the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, did the inauguration, and he chairs the Committee, which is tasked with developing and implementing sustainable solutions to address the persistent power challenges in healthcare institutions across Nigeria. Given that an unreliable power supply significantly hampers the delivery of critical medical services, therefore, the committee’s work is essential in ensuring energy security, efficiency, and sustainability within the healthcare sector.

Meanwhile, the committee includes the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Power, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), World Health Organization, World Bank, PharmAccess, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Fund, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), and amongst others.

The Minister of State emphasized the critical role of sustainable energy solutions in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. He highlighted that unreliable power supply remains one of the biggest challenges faced by healthcare institutions, severely impacting service delivery, medical equipment functionality, and patient care.

He (Salako) underscored the government’s commitment to addressing this issue through a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together experts from the health, power, and development sectors to craft actionable solutions that will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in hospitals nationwide.

Also speaking, the Country Director, PharmAccess, Njide Ndili, expressed her enthusiasm about the committee, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria’s healthcare facilities.

She highlighted how unreliable power supply negatively affects medical services, disrupts critical procedures, and compromises patient outcomes, therefore, reiterated PharmAccess’ commitment to supporting innovative financing models and partnerships that will facilitate efficient and reliable energy solutions for hospitals, ensuring that power challenges do not continue to hinder the delivery of quality healthcare.

She emphasized that as an international NGO and the Health Technical Assistance partner for the Netherlands Government, PharmAccess brings valuable insights from a country renowned for its leadership in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. She highlighted how the Netherlands’ expertise in alternative power solutions could support Nigeria’s healthcare power transformation, citing the recent solar trade mission to Nigeria as an example.

She (Ndili) further emphasized that power challenges are not limited to rural healthcare facilities. The unstable power affects the functionality of high-cost equipment such as CT scans and MRI machines. In addition, the high cost of diesel is placing an immense financial strain on urban hospitals, affecting their profitability and long-term sustainability.

She said: “Access to reliable power is a fundamental necessity for any functional healthcare system. Without it, we cannot provide consistent, high-quality care to patients.

“Our impact evaluation from our PPP project at the PHC level in rural, hard-to-reach communities in Delta State has shown that unreliable power is a critical factor deterring patients from seeking care, as medical services, including after-hours care, are not optimal due to a lack of or limited electricity. This makes it imperative to explore alternative power solutions such as solar energy and hybrid systems to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery.

“This committee presents a unique opportunity to drive real change by isolating the root causes and exploring alternate solutions, including fostering public-private partnerships and sustainable energy solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s entire healthcare system for both public and private sector providers.

“PharmAccess and the Medical Credit Fund are willing to support the process while working with all stakeholders to turn these discussions into tangible actions that will ensure health facilities—regardless of their level—have access to reliable and efficient power sources.”

The inauguration of this committee marks a significant step toward addressing power challenges in Nigeria’s health sector. With key stakeholders onboard, the committee is expected to drive actionable policies and sustainable strategies that will transform healthcare service delivery. Its collaborative efforts will not only provide immediate interventions but also establish long-term frameworks to ensure that power shortages no longer hinder the quality of healthcare in the country.

PharmAccess is dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare in Nigeria, through innovative multi-pronged solutions that enhance healthcare delivery. By leveraging partnerships and cutting-edge technologies, PharmAccess continues to drive sustainable healthcare interventions that improve patient care, system efficiency, and financial inclusion.