Research Institute Highlights Three Major Problems Of PHCs In Nigeria
A research institute has highlighted three basic problems associated with PHCs in Nigeria.
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This was disclosed in a 70-page document filed by the Powering Healthcare Nigeria Market Assessment Roadmap on Tuesday.
The report stated:
“40 per cent of functional PHC facilities do not have access to electricity.
“80 – 83 per cent of PHCs are not powered using renewable sources.
“Although 40 per cent of health facilities have no access to electricity, majority of PHCs still have unreliable access to electricity from any combination of electricity sources.”
An international organization, Sustainable Energy for All in partnership with the United Nations compiled the report. The goal of the partnership is to assist countries to attain access to sustainable energy by 2030.
Three Major Problems Of PHCs in Nigeria
They learned that Primary Healthcare in Nigeria was lagging behind in these regards:
- 40 per cent of PHC lacked electricity supply.
- Health Facility Electrification is concentrated in the Southern region against their Northern counterparts. (South-east, South-west and the South-south).
- 80-83 per cent of PHCs are not powered by renewable sources.
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Solution
The report suggested that solar panel re-usable energy can help bridge this gap.
It explained:
“Standalone solar PV systems are more suited to PHC electrification in terms of dedicated service provision, cost and affordability for locations without access to electricity and where mini-grids are not already present.”
“Mini-grids can serve PHC electrification if the intended deployment is primarily driven by other productive anchor customers within the community. Technical assistance and programmatic support are required to bridge data and capacity gaps.
“Support may involve joint energy audits of PHCs (e.g. 1 PHC per ward facilities) and validation exercises. NPHCDA and REA could co-lead the coordination and planning of energy audits as well as data governance arrangements.
“The emerging Coalition for Sustainable Electrification of PHCs could function as the advisory body to foster multi-sectoral dialogue and data exchange on Health Facility Electrification.”
The report was also backed by:
- The Rural Electrification Agency.
- The National Primary Health Care.
- Others.
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Data was pulled using these research tools:
- Data Analysis.
- Technology assessment.
- Funding and financing mechanisms.
- Delivery models.
Source: PUNCH Health Wise