Ethiopia launches Solar Electrification Initiative to boost healthcare access

ETHIOPIA – The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), has officially launched the Health Facility Solar Electrification (HFSE) initiative.

This initiative, part of a broader US$35 million program funded by Gavi, aims to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, expand immunization coverage, and enhance primary healthcare services in remote areas.

Under this initiative, 300 health facilities across Ethiopia will be prioritised for solar energy expansion, particularly in regions far from the national power grid.

The adoption of solar energy is expected to improve healthcare outcomes for an estimated 6.7 million people living within the catchment areas of these facilities.

By powering essential services like immunizations and providing clean water, the initiative will elevate the standard of care offered in primary healthcare centers.

In addition to enhancing healthcare services, this solar electrification project is a key element of Ethiopia’s broader efforts to develop climate-resilient health facilities and reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

The decentralized solar energy approach will ensure continuous power supply, even in the most remote communities, further strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

The Ministry of Health plans to equip over 1,000 healthcare facilities with solar energy by December 2025, marking a significant step toward achieving these goals.

State Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma, emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative, stating that solar electrification is “powering health and hope across Ethiopia.”

He added that reliable power will allow health facilities to provide consistent and dependable care, bringing the country closer to a healthier and brighter future for all citizens.

Thabani Maphosa, Chief Country Delivery Officer at Gavi, pointed out that climate change is intensifying the burden of diseases in the world’s most vulnerable communities.

He stressed that access to electricity is a crucial factor in a country’s ability to deliver quality health services.

According to Maphosa, the HFSE initiative represents a unique opportunity to strengthen primary healthcare systems, contribute to environmental sustainability, and improve health outcomes.

UNICEF’s Representative in Ethiopia, Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, also highlighted the initiative’s importance, describing it as a major step forward in promoting sustainable healthcare and climate resilience.

He noted that the project would improve immunization rates for children and strengthen maternal and infant healthcare services, resulting in safer deliveries and better post-natal care in underserved communities.

Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO’s Representative to Ethiopia, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the link between energy access and quality healthcare services.

He noted that access to clean, reliable energy is crucial for delivering essential healthcare, especially in hard-to-reach areas where mothers and children are most at risk.

“Access to electricity in healthcare facilities can be a matter of life and death,” he stated.

A key component of the HFSE initiative is its focus on cold chain equipment, which is critical for delivering vaccines and other medical supplies.

The project will utilize Gavi’s Cold Chain Equipment Optimisation Platform (CCEOP) to deploy solar photovoltaic packages at 1,000 primary healthcare facilities across Ethiopia, Pakistan, Uganda, and Zambia.

With Gavi’s funding commitment of US$35 million, the initiative will enhance the capacity of these facilities to power essential cold chain equipment and other vital medical devices.

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