| Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability |
| Authors: |
Heather Adair-Rohani, Karen Zukor, Sophie Bonjour, Susan Wilburn, Annette C Kuesel |
| Source: |
Global Health: Science and Practice, Volume 1, Number 2 |
| Topic(s): |
Health care utilization
Health equity
|
| Country: |
Africa
Multiple African Countries
|
| Published: |
AUG 2013 |
| Abstract: |
Background: Access to electricity is critical to health care delivery and to the overarching goal of universal health
coverage. Data on electricity access in health care facilities are rarely collected and have never been reported
systematically in a multi-country study. We conducted a systematic review of available national data on electricity access
in health care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: We identified publicly-available data from nationally representative facility surveys through a systematic
review of articles in PubMed, as well as through websites of development agencies, ministries of health, and national
statistics bureaus. To be included in our analysis, data sets had to be collected in or after 2000, be nationally
representative of a sub-Saharan African country, cover both public and private health facilities, and include a clear
definition of electricity access.
Results: We identified 13 health facility surveys from 11 sub-Saharan African countries that met our inclusion criteria.
On average, 26% of health facilities in the surveyed countries reported no access to electricity. Only 28% of health care
facilities, on average, had reliable electricity among the 8 countries reporting data. Among 9 countries, an average of
7% of facilities relied solely on a generator. Electricity access in health care facilities increased by 1.5% annually in
Kenya between 2004 and 2010, and by 4% annually in Rwanda between 2001 and 2007.
Conclusions: Energy access for health care facilities in sub-Saharan African countries varies considerably. An urgent
need exists to improve the geographic coverage, quality, and frequency of data collection on energy access in health
care facilities. Standardized tools should be used to collect data on all sources of power and supply reliability. The United
Nations Secretary-General’s ‘‘Sustainable Energy for All’’ initiative provides an opportunity to comprehensively monitor
energy access in health care facilities. Such evidence about electricity needs and gaps would optimize use of limited
resources, which can help to strengthen health systems. |
| Web: |
http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/1/2/249.full.pdf |
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