The European Union and the International Center for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED) have completed the installation of solar power systems in 12 hospitals in Borno state, North East of Nigeria.
The project, funded by the EU, was executed in partnership with Mercy Corps and the Borno Government as part of programmes to provide clean renewable energy to 650 homes in Bama and Gwoza local governments.
A 5KVA solar system each has been installed at General Hospital Kwaya, Kwaya Kusar local government, Wandali Primary Health Care, Wandali Kwaya Kusar LGA, General Hospital Marama, Hawul local government, General Hospital Bama, Bama local council.
Others are: General Hospital Gwoza, Gwoza local council; Jiddari Primary Health Care Center, Galtimari, Jere local council; Biu Township Primary Health Care and Dispensary, Silumthda, Maternity and Child Health Care, Biu local council.
Dalaram Primary Health Care, Old Maiduguri, Jere local council; Malakyarari Primary Health Care Centre, Malakyrari, Kaleri Maternity and Child Center, Mafa local council; and Bama Maternity and Clinic, Bama local council of the state.
At General Hospital, Bama, the ICEED Project Advisor, Okechukwu Ugwu called for increased energy access to critical institutions within the conflict affected communities.
Ugwu also added, “We witnessed first hand, the pains health officials undergo to extend medical assistance to patients. A young man with a bullet shot by the insurgents was wheeled into the theatre for an operation, but there was no power supply.
“The medical doctor had to conduct the session in the dark, using a phone torchlight. This was horrific and we think there should be a conscious effort at energising such critical infrastructure.”
He said: “We have carried out the projects in hospitals in seven local government areas. Our baseline assessment revealed that some of these hospitals had less than four hours daily power supply from the national grid.”
Responding, the Chief Medical Director, Bama General Hospital, Dr. Oluwaseun Ojo expressed gratitude to ICEED and EU for funding the project and providing life-saving solar electricity to the hospital.
