Fish Town's healthcare centre has benefited from a clean energy program, providing reliable solar power and reducing operational costs. This shift has significantly improved healthcare service delivery and access to consistent electricity in the community.
A Shift from Darkness to Light
Fish Town — a coastal community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria — had long suffered from inadequate power supply. As an oil-producing town, one might assume its energy needs would be a priority. However, the town faced decades of darkness.
The situation was so dire that when Augustine Joseph arrived in Fish Town to establish a healthcare centre in November 2021, he found no government or private electricity supply. The only power source was a generator donated by an oil company, which soon became more of a burden than a blessing.
The donated generator for the healthcare centre became a financial burden due to high maintenance and fuel costs. Augustine had to spend N70,000 monthly on fuel, but it was still insufficient to power the centre all day, thereby leaving the generator running only from 7 p.m. to midnight.
With no local mechanic, repairs added an extra N20,000 — pushing total monthly expenses as high as N100,000. This unreliable power supply severely hindered the healthcare centre's operations and service quality.
The Turning Point for Fish Town
In 2023, Fish Town saw a significant shift in its energy fortunes. The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) selected Fish Town’s healthcare centre as part of its clean energy program.
PIND — through its partnership with Power Africa's Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA) — aimed to electrify 10,000 healthcare centres in Africa by 2027. The project seeks to provide reliable and renewable energy to healthcare facilities in remote areas.
Renewable energy (Image: Collected)
The initiative — driven by PIND’s Access to Energy Coordinator, Anthony Osibajo — focused on reducing operational and maintenance costs and enhancing healthcare service delivery. The project rolled out in 12 primary healthcare centres across coastal communities in the Niger Delta region, including Fish Town in Bayelsa.
Fish Town’s Transformation Through Solar Energy
For the residents of Fish Town, the solar energy solution has been life-changing. Before the solar system installation, residents like Mary Oluka struggled with the lack of power at the healthcare centre. Oluka recounted her experience when she was admitted with malaria.
“There was no power during the day, and the generator came on at night. But by 11 p.m., it was switched off to save costs. I was uncomfortable,” she said. Like many others, Oluka often preferred to go home for treatment due to the erratic power supply.
The installation of solar panels transformed the healthcare centre's operations. Joseph now has more reliable energy, and the centre can remain open until midnight — sometimes even longer. The solar system powers medical equipment, industrial fans, freezers, and other essential tools.
“We can now run tests and store clinical samples without worrying about the high costs of fueling the generator,” Joseph explained. If the hospital had to rely on fuel in today’s economy, he would spend over N20,000 daily. With solar energy, Joseph only prays for enough sunlight to keep the batteries charged.
The Environmental and Economic Impact
PIND’s solar energy initiative is not just improving healthcare but also reducing carbon emissions. By replacing fuel-powered generators with clean energy, the initiative is helping to lower the community's carbon footprint.
However, challenges remain. Joseph mentioned that sometimes the solar voltage drops, preventing the system from powering all the equipment. Occasionally, the battery runs out before morning, forcing him to revert to using the generator for emergency cases. Despite these minor setbacks, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
The residents of Fish Town are now more satisfied with their healthcare centre, thanks to the constant availability of power. The once-disheartening darkness has given way to light, improving both healthcare delivery and the overall well-being of the community.
While there is still room for improvement, particularly in ensuring that the solar system can meet the healthcare centre’s 24-hour needs, the transformation in Fish Town is undeniable. The town’s story highlights the importance of clean energy solutions for last-mile communities and underscores the critical role that reliable power plays in healthcare.