In many parts of Africa, power outages happen often. That’s because much of the electricity comes from water-powered dams, and when drought strikes, electricity can be hard to come by. In Sierra Leone, the problem is particularly serious, with only one in ten people reporting reliable electricity.
How Power Outages Disrupt Healthcare
For MSI’s clinics in Sierra Leone, losing power made it harder to provide care. They had to rely on noisy, expensive generators, and even then, blackouts were becoming an increasing problem.
Imagine being in the middle of a procedure like having your contraceptive IUD inserted and suddenly, the lights go out. That’s what our teams and clients had to deal with. Important medicines that needed to stay cold were at risk of spoiling. And when clinics switched from paper to electronic records, internet outages made it harder to keep track of patient information.
A Brighter Future with Solar Power
To fix this, MSI Sierra Leone installed solar panels in eight clinics in 2022 – and the results were immediate. With steady power, clinics could stay open longer and serve more women. They saved money on fuel, which meant more funds for medical supplies. Women knew they could count on MSI’s clinics to have electricity, making them a trusted choice for reproductive healthcare.
The benefits went beyond the procedure room. Important medications stayed at the right temperature, ensuring they were always available when needed. Electronic health records worked without interruption, making it easier to safely store information and to refer patients between facilities.
Investing in Women’s Health
MSI Sierra Leone’s experience shows that renewable energy does more than keep the lights on. The solar panels have reduced the clinics’ operating expenses – no longer relying on expensive generator fuel. That’s funding they can invest in improving women’s care and reaching even more communities.
By using solar panels, MSI Sierra Leone is lighting the way to a future where we can take steps to reduce emissions, address climate change, and reach women with the care they need. Installing solar panels is an easy win for women and the environment.
