Precious Anga
Lagos — Nigeria’s Federal Government has announced plans to electrify about 35,000 health facilities nationwide using renewable energy as part of efforts to curb Nigeria’s estimated $2bn annual medical tourism losses and strengthen healthcare delivery.
The initiative, under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative, NPHI, targets 30 per cent renewable energy penetration in health facilities by 2027.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Lagos, noting that the programme marks a shift from policy discussions to implementation.
He said unreliable electricity remains a major barrier to healthcare delivery, affecting critical services such as surgery, diagnostics, vaccine storage and emergency care.
Under the new Energy-as-a-Service model, private firms will finance, install and maintain power systems, while hospitals focus on healthcare delivery.
The framework, supported by blended financing from public, private and development partners, will initially focus on federal tertiary hospitals before expanding nationwide.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the initiative aligns with ongoing power sector reforms and identified solar mini-grids, battery storage and hybrid systems as key investment areas.
He added that improved electrification will boost healthcare outcomes and help reduce medical tourism by improving confidence in local health services.
