Zambia has become the first country to inaugurate a solar clinic as part of Gavi’s $28 million Health Facility Solar Electrification (HFSE) programme, which aims to power 1,277 clinics across four countries by June 2026.

The weekend event, at Mwalumina Rural Health Centre in Zambia’s Chongwe District, is the first step towards bringing reliable solar power to 250 Zambian health facilities across the country, improving health services for 1,3 million people.

“By bringing sustainable power to our rural health facilities and ensuring vaccines and essential medicines reach every child, we are investing in healthier communities and a stronger health system,” Zambian Health Minister Dr Elijah Muchima told the inauguration on Sunday.

The initiative prioritises health facilities that provide maternity services and serve remote communities. It aims to ensure the safe storage of vaccines and medicines, enable the use of critical diagnostic and medical equipment, improve working conditions for health professionals and strengthen resilience and equity in primary health care services.

Several vaccines – including some of those to combat COVID-19 – need to be refrigerated, which is a challenge for many rural clinics that don’t have reliable electricity.

“These efforts will light up maternity wards, keep vaccines safe, and deliver care to the hardest-to-reach communities,” said Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar.

“In places where one in four health facilities have no electricity, solarisation is more than a technical fix, it is a lifeline.”

Rollout to Ethiopia, Pakistan and Uganda

The HFSE initiative will deploy solar photovoltaic systems and cold chain equipment to health facilities in Ethiopia, Pakistan and Uganda, as well as Zambia.

The initiative will also improve the climate resilience of health facilities, reducing reliance on coal- and hydro-electric power, and reduce carbon emissions.

By the end of the rollout in June 2026, an estimated 25 million people will benefit from an increased range of services such as expanded access to immunisation services and availability of clean water.

The Ethiopia launch of HFSE took place in October 2024, and aims to reach 300 health facilities, improving services for an estimated 6.7 million Ethiopians.

“Climate change is increasing the burden of diseases in the most vulnerable communities, and access to electricity is a core determinant of a country’s ability and readiness to provide quality health services,” Thabani Maphosa, Gavi’s Chief Country Delivery Officer, told the Ethiopia launch.

“Establishing and scaling health facility solar electrification represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen primary health care systems, contribute to a greener planet, and drive improved health outcomes.”

Gavi has also contributed significantly to the roll-out of solar-powered cold chain equipment through its Cold Chain Equipment Optimisation Platform (CCEOP), established in 2016 to assist countries to buy cold storage equipment they need. 

“However, fridges alone aren’t enough,” according to Gavi. “This pilot tests whether that model can be scaled to fully solarize health facilities by powering lights, equipment, and digital tools. If successful, it could unlock co-investment and long-term government support for maintenance, ensuring sustainability.”

New initiative to improve vaccine delivery

Zambia also launched an initiative called DRIVE – the Direct Delivery of Routine Immunisation Vaccines and other Essential health commodities for Equity – alongside the solar project.

DRIVE “works like a social enterprise, involving community volunteers, young people, and others at the local level to help deliver vaccines and health supplies directly to clinics and outreach sites”, according to a media release from the Zambian government. 

“These delivery partners will work up to 10 days a month transporting vaccines, and for the rest of the month, they can use the same transport to earn income through other activities, helping them support themselves and maintain the vehicles.”

DRIVE is being launched in 41 districts and will create 200 jobs as well as improving immunisation.

“The two initiatives we are launching today work hand in hand to strengthen our health system. By bringing vaccines and supplies directly to health centres and providing clean, reliable energy, we are making healthcare more accessible and consistent. These efforts support health workers, create jobs, build community ownership, and help us adapt to climate challenges,” explained Dr. Nejmudin Kedir Bilal, UNICEF’s Zambia Representative.

The HFSE initiative is supported by UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

Image Credits: Gavi.