from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – COMMUNITIES in northern Nigeria can now better access vital medical devices, medicines and hospital infrastructure thanks to the shift to renewable energy.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF or Doctors without Borders) is leading the transition.
This stance has replaced solar power in hospitals that traditionally relied on expensive and fuel-intensive generators.
“We can now safely store vaccines and expand our community activities,” said Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, MSF coordinator in Nigeria.
At the same time, the introduction of renewable energy has strengthened the Zurmi Hospital ability to provide quality medical care consistently and long-term.
By changing the energy infrastructure, reducing the need for fuel transportation, storage and payments, the hospital is now better equipped to provide continuous and reliable medical care.
Because it’s a cleaner energy source, the technology also contributes less to the climate crisis already affecting the people MSF serves.
In addition to ensuring a consistent energy supply, the transition to renewable energy is seen as allowing MSF to better respond to the needs of its patients.
By reducing the costs and time required to obtain and transport expensive fuel—especially in remote areas—MSF believes it can allocate more resources to other essential needs to keep the hospitals operational and accessible.
Northern Nigeria is the epicentre of disease outbreaks and terror in the West African country.
– CAJ News