By Martin Chemhere
Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has long been plagued by frequent power outages, disrupting essential services and jeopardizing patient care. The Solar for Health (S4H) initiative, launched in 2016, is addressing this critical challenge by installing solar power systems in health facilities nationwide. This ambitious project, funded primarily by the Global Fund and managed by the UNDP, is not only improving healthcare delivery but also contributing to Zimbabwe’s sustainable development goals.
The S4H project has achieved significant milestones. Over 1,044 solar systems have been installed across health facilities, generating over 11 MW of power. A state-of-the-art 450 kWp solar system has also been commissioned at the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) facility in Harare, ensuring the reliable storage and distribution of essential medicines. The total investment in these installations amounts to approximately US$19 million, with the Global Fund contributing US$28 million to Zimbabwe’s broader solar energy initiatives.
The impact of the S4H project is multifaceted. Firstly, it ensures uninterrupted power supply to health facilities, allowing critical services like cold chain maintenance for vaccines and operation of life-saving equipment to function reliably, even during grid outages. This is particularly crucial in rural areas where power disruptions are more frequent. Secondly, the project promotes energy efficiency, with solar systems providing up to 70% of a facility’s electricity needs, significantly reducing reliance on the national grid and expensive diesel generators. This translates to substantial cost savings, allowing resources to be redirected to core healthcare services.
Beyond the immediate benefits to healthcare delivery, the S4H project has a significant positive environmental impact. The installed systems are projected to avoid over 11,447 tons of CO2 emissions annually, contributing to Zimbabwe’s climate change mitigation efforts and aligning with global sustainability goals. The project also strengthens the medical supply chain by ensuring consistent storage conditions for medicines and vaccines, preventing spoilage and ensuring their efficacy.
The S4H initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Health Strategy, National Development Strategy, and the Zimbabwe United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF). It also supports global goals such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Furthermore, the project includes capacity-building initiatives to train local personnel in the maintenance of these systems, ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership.
The Solar for Health project serves as a powerful example of how renewable energy can be integrated into public infrastructure to address critical development challenges. Providing reliable and sustainable power to health facilities, the project is improving healthcare delivery, promoting environmental sustainability, and contributing to Zimbabwe’s overall development trajectory.