Acting Minister of Health, Douglas Syakalima, has announced that 427 health facilities across Zambia will benefit from the USD$6.8 million Solar for Health (S4H) project funded by the Global Fund.
Speaking at the launch of the S4H and Joint SDG-Energy Transition projects, Mr. Syakalima emphasized that the initiative will enhance the country’s healthcare system while also reducing the carbon footprint in the health sector.
“I am delighted that this solar project is being launched alongside the S4H project, which will provide capacity in technical operations of solar systems at provincial and district levels to ensure sustainability,” said Mr. Syakalima. He further noted that the project will primarily focus on health centers and health posts, which serve as the backbone of healthcare access for millions of Zambians.
Mr. Syakalima also expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for its support in ensuring stable and reliable energy for government institutions, complementing government efforts in strengthening health service delivery.
Speaking earlier, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, who delivered a speech on behalf of United Nations Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali, highlighted the timeliness of the project.
Ms. Mutali noted that the UN is actively supporting the government in formulating strategic short-, medium-, and long-term measures to address Zambia’s energy crisis, which has negatively affected the country’s economy. She pointed out that last year’s prolonged drought had worsened the energy situation, making such interventions critical.
Meanwhile, Acting Director at the Ministry of Energy, Michael Mulasikwanda, underscored the impact of load shedding on essential services such as health and education. He stated that many health facilities are struggling to store vaccines, blood, and operate life-saving medical equipment due to unreliable power supply.
“The solar project is a critical intervention to address hydro power shortages and ensure uninterrupted operations in health facilities,” said Mr. Mulasikwanda.
The launch of the Solar for Health project marks a significant step toward improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that health facilities, especially in rural and underserved areas, have access to reliable energy sources.