Sustainable energy solutions can help ensure health care delivery during climate-induced emergencies.
The Mudug Regional Hospital in Galkayo, Somalia, is transitioning from diesel generators to renewable energy after Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) upgraded the hospital’s solar energy system.
Launched in October 2024, this ambitious initiative involved expanding and rehabilitating the hospital's solar photovoltaic infrastructure, including the installation of advanced inverters, additional solar panels, and state-of-the-art monitoring tools.
The climate crisis isn't just an environmental issue—it directly impacts human health, particularly in vulnerable regions like Mudug.
Mohsin Rafiq, MSF project coordinator in Mudug.
The project aligns with MSF’s commitment to environmental sustainability, directly supporting our goal to halve carbon emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. It also serves as a model of practical climate action within the humanitarian sector, demonstrating how sustainable energy initiatives can be successfully integrated into essential medical operations, even in crisis-affected areas.
Reducing the hospital’s environmental footprint
Prior to this upgrade, MSF-supported wards at Mudug Regional Hospital heavily relied on diesel generators, burning thousands of liters of fuel monthly. This dependence not only led to substantial operational costs but also contributed significantly to carbon emissions, undermining MSF’s broader environmental commitments and exacerbating local air pollution.
How the hybrid solar system works
- The newly installed hybrid solar grid-tied system markedly reduces operational costs and lowers carbon emissions.
- The system is designed to deliver reliable and uninterrupted energy to the hospital, enhancing the facility's resilience against energy disruptions common with diesel-powered systems.
- The integration of internet-connected monitoring tools provides MSF staff with real-time data on energy use, system efficiency, and performance, facilitating proactive maintenance and ensuring sustainability.
The United Nations Development Program has identified Somalia as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change globally. The country is severely impacted by recurrent climate shocks such as prolonged droughts, severe floods, and rising temperatures. These environmental factors directly threaten health care provision by exacerbating public health challenges, including increased rates of malnutrition, outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera, and the heightened spread of vector-borne illnesses such as malaria.
“The climate crisis isn't just an environmental issue—it directly impacts human health, particularly in vulnerable regions like Mudug,” explains Mohsin Rafiq, MSF project coordinator in Mudug. “With this solar initiative, we're not only significantly cutting our carbon emissions but also ensuring a reliable and continuous health care services, especially during climate-induced emergencies.”
Renewable energy enhances resilience against climate shocks
Transitioning from diesel generators to renewable energy reduces air pollution and enhances resilience against climate shocks nationwide. Given Somalia's extreme vulnerability to climate change, expanding sustainable health care infrastructure across both northern and southern parts of Galkayo and extending to other regions is crucial. Reducing dependence on diesel generators not only significantly cuts operational costs but substantially mitigates carbon emissions, thereby setting a standard for health facilities nationwide. This approach ensures that sustainable energy solutions become integral to health care resilience, allowing MSF to effectively manage health care delivery during climate-induced emergencies.
“The frequent and intense climate shocks Somalia experiences compound existing health care crises, leaving vulnerable communities even more exposed,” Mohsin says. “Renewable energy solutions like the upgraded solar system in Galkayo enable us to respond effectively to these challenges, maintaining essential medical services precisely when they're needed most.”