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Solar-powered clinics in Turkana, Kenya, have reduced maternal deaths by 40% since 2022, providing reliable electricity for emergency care and vaccine refrigeration in remote areas.
In April 2024, the remote Turkana County in northern Kenya reported a remarkable 40% reduction in maternal mortality since the installation of solar-powered health clinics two years ago. The project, led by the non-profit Amref Health Africa in partnership with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and the UK’s SolarAid, has brought reliable electricity to 18 rural clinics.
Previously, clinics often struggled with unsafe nighttime deliveries and unreliable vaccine refrigeration. Now, thanks to solar microgrids, clinics provide 24/7 care and power vital equipment. Midwife Esther Lokuruka at the Lomil Health Centre credits the solar upgrade for saving lives: “We can perform emergency deliveries safely at night and keep vaccines at the correct temperature,” she said.
The initiative also reduces dependence on diesel generators, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 120 metric tons annually. The project is now expanding to neighboring West Pokot and Samburu counties. According to Dr. Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa, “Sustainable energy access is a game-changer for rural healthcare and women’s health.”
Source: Amref Health Africa