By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a major advancement for healthcare access in Sierra Leone, 25 community health clinics now have round-the-clock, life-saving electricity, thanks to newly installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The installations were commissioned on Thursday November 14, 2024
by Dr. Charles Senesie, Deputy Minister of Health 1, at the Jenner Wright Clinic, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project. The initiative, a collaboration between Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and the UK Government, now enters its third phase, aiming to bring solar power to 11 additional hospitals across the country.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Charles Senesie hailed the impact of solar energy on healthcare delivery, saying, “The transformation of these 25 health facilities using the power of the sun will forever change how healthcare is delivered. This initiative also reflects our commitment to go green nationally and electrify health facilities with clean energy, a crucial step towards building a sustainable healthcare system. We are grateful to the UK Government for their generous support and to Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) for their instrumental role in implementing this project.”
Many of the newly powered clinics previously relied on diesel generators or had limited or unreliable access to electricity, with 18 of the 25 having no power source at all. With the installation of solar systems, health workers now have consistent, uninterrupted electricity, enabling enhanced primary care delivery, especially in underserved areas. Dr. Dr. Charles Senesie emphasized how the project’s clean energy approach aligns with national sustainability goals and significantly alleviates energy costs and environmental impact by reducing diesel reliance. Phase 1, which electrified six key hospitals, demonstrated this impact, with a 60% to 99% reduction in generator fuel use.
Among the transformed facilities, Torwama Community Health Centre’s Medical Superintendent shared the immense benefits of the new system. “The solar installation is truly transformative. Mothers and babies can now receive critical care 24/7, supported by dependable, sustainable energy,” he said.
The event at Jenner Wright Clinic also served to announce Phase 3, which will electrify 11 more hospitals, including major facilities like Connaught, Lakka, Port Loko, Makeni and Kenema Government Hospitals. At Connaught Hospital, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mustapha Kabba expressed his optimism for the future of healthcare with clean energy. Reflecting on his own experience as a doctor there, he remarked, “From my own time as a leading doctor at Connaught Hospital, I know what it is like to treat patients without a reliable power supply. I now look forward to coming back here in a few months and switching off the generator as we transition to solar energy.”
The Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project, launched in October 2022, is addressing critical needs identified in assessments, which revealed that 38% of health facilities in Sierra Leone lack reliable power. Upon the completion of all three phases, the project will have installed 4.3 MWp of solar power across 43 health facilities. This initiative is supported on the ground by EM-ONE Energy Solutions, Tetra Tech and CEMMATS Group Ltd., under SEforALL’s leadership and with UK Government funding.
Ngozi Beckley-Lines, SEforALL’s Country Manager for Sierra Leone, highlighted the far-reaching impact of the project: “This project is absolutely transforming lives, not only for patients but also for nurses, doctors and all healthcare workers, by creating a safer and more reliable environment for quality care round-the-clock.”
Follow the journey to sustainable healthcare in Sierra Leone through #PoweringHealthcare and #PoweringLivesSL on social media.
