The Federal Government has approved a new institutional reform and financing framework to accelerate the provision of reliable, round-the-clock electricity to health facilities across the country.
The initiative, under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), targets the electrification of at least 30 per cent of Nigeria’s health facilities by the end of 2027.
The decisions were reached at the third meeting of the NPHI Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC), jointly coordinated by the Federal Ministries of Power and Health and Social Welfare.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Isiaq Salako, and co-chaired by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, was attended by government officials, development partners and members of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee.
Tegbe said the programme must now move beyond announcements and groundbreaking ceremonies to the delivery and commissioning of completed projects.
He described NPHI as a flagship initiative of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, stressing that Nigerians should begin to see tangible results through fully powered hospitals and healthcare centres.
The minister noted that the Rural Electrification Agency had already energised five federal teaching hospitals and several other health facilities across the country.
According to him, dependable electricity will reduce hospitals’ reliance on emergency generators while ensuring that critical medical services operate without interruptions.
He also pledged continued support from the Ministry of Power to meet the programme’s funding requirements while ensuring that resources are deployed efficiently.
Salako said the committee approved a financing framework designed to attract investment into healthcare electrification, as well as a Facility Energy Management Framework to ensure that participating hospitals can sustainably manage their energy infrastructure.
He disclosed that eight private-sector proposals had also been cleared for further engagement out of about 70 submissions received during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Week held in Lagos.
The minister said Energy Management Teams had already been established in federal tertiary hospitals, while state governments were being encouraged to establish similar structures.
He added that the NPHI would now be institutionalised through dedicated budgetary provisions and the establishment of a full-time Project Coordination Unit to drive implementation.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmud Mamman, stressed that reliable electricity was critical to the effective functioning of the health sector.
He said uninterrupted power was essential for operating critical medical equipment, preserving vaccines, supporting laboratories and strengthening emergency response systems.
Mamman described the NPHI as a landmark collaboration involving government, development partners and the private sector to address one of the country’s most critical healthcare infrastructure gaps.
(The Whistler)