…Says energy costs draining healthcare budgets, calls for sustainable solutions
The Federal Government has launched a major initiative to address the persistent power crisis in public hospitals, warning that rising electricity costs and unreliable supply are threatening healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
At the inauguration of the Implementation Committee for the National Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector, held at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja, on March 28, 2025, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, emphasized the need for a strategic and sustainable energy framework to power hospitals.
“Hospitals across the country are grappling with massive energy deficits and escalating costs. The time for uncoordinated, haphazard energy solutions is over. We must develop smart, sustainable power alternatives to strengthen our health system and improve patient care,” Dr. Salako stated.
FG’s Intervention and Need for a New Approach
Dr. Salako acknowledged the 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals and the deployment of solar mini-grids in select facilities. However, he admitted that these measures have not been enough to address the worsening power crisis.
“The current situation requires a whole-of-government approach. We must rethink our traditional models of power generation and supply in hospitals to ensure efficiency and sustainability,” he emphasized.
To bridge the gap, the Minister directed Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions to explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and attract investments in alternative and renewable energy solutions.
“I urge all public healthcare institutions to make this a priority. Strategic partnerships will be crucial in bridging the power gap in our hospitals,” he said.
Objectives of the National Dialogue on Power in Healthcare
The National Dialogue, expected to be held in Abuja or Lagos, aims to:
Assess the current power supply challenges in public hospitals.
Identify best practices from other low-middle-income countries (LMICs).
Explore alternative energy solutions such as solar, backup power systems, and energy-efficient technologies.
Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for sustainable electricity supply.
Develop a clear policy framework for long-term energy sustainability in the health sector.
The dialogue will bring together experts from the health and power sectors, with key decisions documented in a communiqué and a Collaborative Plan of Action for implementation.
Implementation Committee to Drive Solutions
To ensure the dialogue leads to real change, Dr. Salako inaugurated an Implementation Committee, assigning it three key responsibilities:
1. Organizing the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector.
2. Ensuring the execution of key recommendations from the dialogue.
3. Mobilizing resources and attracting investments for sustainable hospital electrification.
A Call for Collective Action
Dr. Salako expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing the health sector, as well as to the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of Power, for their collaboration on this initiative.
> “We must move beyond temporary fixes and work collaboratively to provide lasting energy solutions for our hospitals. A well-powered healthcare system is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria,” he concluded.
With hospitals spending hundreds of millions of naira monthly on power, the National Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector is expected to set Nigeria on the path toward reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity solutions for healthcare facilities nationwide.
