- Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has inaugurated the Nigeria Solar for Health Project, which will provide solar power to over 25 Primary Healthcare Centres.
- The Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP added that the project is to impact healthcare delivery and boost economic activities positively.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has inaugurated the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP), which will provide solar power to over 25 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
At the inauguration of the project’s Steering Committee, the governor explained that the initiative is supported by the European Union (EU) and designed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to PHCs so that they can offer better healthcare services.
He emphasised the critical role of electricity in healthcare services, particularly for operating diagnostic machines, storing vaccines, and preserving medicines. He lauded the EU and NISHP for selecting Plateau State as a beneficiary and pledged the State’s full commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
“This project is a testament to our administration’s commitment to functional PHCs and access to quality, affordable healthcare at the grassroots. Less than 5 per cent of the over 1,000 PHCs in the State were operational when we assumed office. This prompted us to award contracts for the renovation of 82 PHCs. The NISHP project will significantly improve the energy situation in the healthcare sector across the State,” the Governor stated.
Earlier, the Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy, EU-Nigeria, Mrs Inga Stephanowicz, noted that the project focuses on delivering clean and renewable energy solutions to improve healthcare and commended the Plateau State Government for fulfilling its obligation by providing 30 per cent counterpart funding for the initiative.
“Access to steady electricity is indispensable for effective healthcare delivery. Research indicates that only 40 per cent of functional PHCs in Nigeria have regular power supply, which hinders their efficiency. The NISHP project aims to reverse this trend,” she explained.
Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP, added that the project is to positively impact healthcare delivery and boost economic activities, saying, “Beyond powering the PHCs, this project will enhance the operations of 75 small businesses located within these facilities. For this phase, at least one PHC per LGA will benefit.”
The nine-member Steering Committee for the project is chaired by Mr. Ponzing Gamde, Executive Director of the Plateau Energy Corporation, with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, serving as co-chair while the Secretary to the State Government. Samuel Jatau is among the other members.