In rural northern Aleppo, access to electricity remains one of the main challenges for the functioning of health facilities. Power cuts, which can last up to 14 to 18 hours a day, directly compromise patient care and the functioning of vital medical equipment.
To address this situation, Mehad, with support from the Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF), has launched a project to install solar photovoltaic systems to power health centres and hospitals in the region. The 21-month project includes the installation of equipment, training for local teams and a follow-up period to ensure the sustainability of the installations.
Healthcare infrastructure weakened by power cuts
Before the project was implemented, healthcare facilities were heavily reliant on expensive diesel generators, which could account for up to 35% of their monthly operating budgets.
These power cuts had a direct impact on patient care:
– inability to ensure the continuous operation of incubators for newborns,
– difficulties in maintaining the cold chain for vaccines,
– deterioration of temperature-sensitive medicines,
– interruption of consultations and medical services.
In a context where electricity prices have risen sharply, implementing a sustainable energy solution has become essential to maintaining essential health services.
Solar systems for 16 healthcare facilities
The project involves installing solar systems in 16 healthcare facilities in northern Aleppo: 14 primary healthcare centres and two hospitals. To date, seven centres are already fully operational.
A total of 423 solar panels were installed in the targeted structures.
These systems provide at least 8 hours of electricity per day for medical equipment and consultations, while ensuring that the facilities are lit at night. This continuous power supply also improves the safety of patients, staff and infrastructure.
An immediate impact for patients
The first results of the project are already visible. In the seven centres currently operational, approximately 735 patients per day can now receive care in facilities with a stable power supply.
Once the 16 structures are fully equipped, the project should enable:
– ensuring access to healthcare for more than 1,000 patients per day,
– directly benefiting 17,810 people each month,
– providing a stable power supply to more than 267,000 direct beneficiaries over the duration of the project.
Beyond the patients directly treated, the initiative indirectly benefits more than 580,000 people living in the areas served by these healthcare facilities.
In an ever-fragile humanitarian context, this transition to solar energy strengthens the resilience of the local healthcare system and enables medical teams to continue saving lives, day and night.
