In Ghana and Uganda, access to reliable, renewable energy has been a game-changer for health workers. Electrifying health facilities has led to significantly increased 24-hour service availability, and health workers feel better able to do their work—an important part of staff retention, especially in rural areas.
Programs like these electrification efforts demonstrate that energy access is critical for strengthening health systems in lower- and middle-income countries. Reliable power also helps communities start and grow businesses, earn incomes, and engage in economically productive activity. Until recently, discussion of productive use of energy (PUE) was more common in other sectors such as economic growth, but progress in maternal and child health, combating infectious diseases, and other health priorities also requires co-investment in clean, reliable energy.
Productive Use of Energy for Health Service Provision
In sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 100,000 public health facilities lack reliable electricity, energy access can support facility operations and healthier communities while generating revenue and jobs in the community. As Power Africa Coordinator Mark Carrato said at COP27, reliable power provides
… lighting for doctors at night to do emergency medicine, refrigerators that keep vaccines viable and effective, data connectivity to relay pandemic outbreaks. All these things have obvious, life-and-death consequences. And without energy, we’re not going to solve any of them."
The Power Africa Healthcare Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA) is an ambitious new program designed to support large-scale access to energy and digital connectivity that will improve health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. This shift will support uptake of PUE products for facilities and in the surrounding communities.
Demand for renewable options like solar-powered medical appliances and water pumps can increase and promote investments in small and medium enterprises and their supply chains, and boost employment. The transition to renewables also moves the health system toward carbon mitigation and adaptation targets by reducing emissions, while enabling continuous service provision.
To advance PUE product uptake in the health sector, access to finance is crucial. For health systems, lack of financing options makes it difficult to purchase and maintain telecommunication devices, safe water systems, and other equipment that enables sustained productive use. Panelists at Abt Associates’ October 2022 webinar talked about this challenge, especially the need to share information about equipment financing options with potential investors. They also highlighted the need to address long-term maintenance—for sustainability and to strengthen trust in renewables.
An Integrated Approach to Productive Use of Energy Linked to Health Outcomes
Integrated solutions are needed to deliver on the promise of funding the health-energy nexus. PUE for health should be linked to national and local policies and capabilities, address local social and economic needs, and include local actors in decision-making. HETA’s approach, for example, is to co-design financing models with diverse local and international partners that will scale and sustain health facility electrification and digital connectivity.
For rural households, off-grid solar products play a significant role in improving public health. Modern energy services and water pumps increase access to safe drinking water, while clean cookstoves reduce indoor air pollution and improve health. Electricity for mobile phones, radios, and the Internet gives people access to information campaigns about preventing and treating diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and COVID-19.
As we learned from a COP27 panel at the Resilience Hub, integrated approaches lead to cross-sector efficiencies and sustainable outcomes. Investments in PUE linked to health facilities and points of care, supported by a diverse coalition of funders, hold the triple promise of improved health outcomes, economic well-being, and resilience within and beyond the health system.
Amanda V. Quintana
Amanda V. Quintana is an international development professional working at the intersection of climate and health. At Abt Associates, she works with health projects to integrate climate considerations and activities and is working on the company’s climate and health strategy. Previously, at USAID’s Global Health Bureau, she supported maternal and child health and immunization interventions and led environmental compliance and climate risk management for the Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Office. Quintana has an MPH in Global Environmental Health from George Washington University, and is a PhD candidate in Climate Resilient Health Systems at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Linkedin
Jaime L. Jarvis
Jaime L. Jarvis is a professional writer and communications strategist with more than 15 years of experience helping global development programs tell their stories. At Abt Associates, she is communications lead for the Power Africa Healthcare Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance. In that role, she guides strategic communications and outreach to help the team build a diverse coalition of public and private sector funders, stakeholders, and partners. She has a deep personal and professional commitment to inclusive communication as one of the pathways toward equity: Language matters.
Joyce-Lynn (Lyly) Njinga
Joyce-Lynn (Lyly) Njinga is a Senior Climate Specialist at Environmental Incentives. She has 13 years of climate and international development expertise. Her experience includes climate adaptation and mitigation research and analysis, national adaptation planning, integrating climate considerations across development sectors, and improving climate services. Lyly has led climate change focused capacity building, knowledge management, communications, and strategic partnerships. She holds an MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development from University College London and a BA in International Studies from American University.
