In order to boost power supply in health institutions across the country, the Nigerian government has inaugurated a committee for national dialogue to explore different public-private partnership models, develop business cases, and draw up strategic plans of engagement that will attract investments and boost the capacity of the health sector.
Other aims of the dialogue include to assess the existing power policy environment in ascertaining the urgency of the energy needs of healthcare facilities in the country, in relation to what is obtainable from other Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), gather field experiences of the current power situation and eliciting practical recommendations and best practices, identify alternative and sustainable solutions by exploring renewable energy options, backup power systems, and energy-efficient solutions to enhance power reliability, agree on mechanisms to strengthen public-private partnerships for electricity supply to public health institutions in the country, amongst others.
These were revealed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako in a press release by the health ministry on Friday.
Dr. Salako said the dialogue will attract experts from the health and power sectors, with participants carefully selected from a list of mapped stakeholders, based on their level of interest and influence.
The committee is expected to ensure effective implementation of recommendations from the National Dialogue, mobilise resources and attract investments for sustainable electrification of public healthcare facilities, using a whole-of-government approach.