Solar power secures medical services in Niafounké, northern Mali
In the Tombouctou region of northern Mali, the Niafounké hospital has undergone a vital energy transformation. MSF has installed a new solar power system to bolster the facility’s autonomy and ensure that medical services remain uninterrupted in this isolated and unstable area.
Before this upgrade, the hospital was almost entirely dependent on a diesel-fueled thermal plant, which was frequently plagued by power outages. To maintain operations, medical teams had to rely on a generator every day, resulting in high running costs and inconsistent reliability. The new photovoltaic installation now meets roughly 60% of the hospital’s electricity requirements, significantly decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels.
This shift to renewable energy allows us to drastically cut costs related to generator maintenance and diesel purchases, enabling more funding to be directed toward patient care. It ensures the continuous operation of life-saving equipment, such as oxygen concentrators in neonatal and pediatric wards, and supports emergency surgery, maternity services, laboratories, ultrasound machines, and the cold chain necessary for blood transfusions.
The technical setup features a 90 kWp capacity, supported by a 210 kWh lithium battery storage system and an 80 kVA backup generator. This hybrid configuration allows the hospital to switch seamlessly between solar energy, the local power grid, and the generator, providing a stable electricity supply 24 hours a day.
For the people treated here, this energy stability has a direct impact on their lives. Fadi, who was forced to leave the village of Léré due to threats from armed groups, sought safety in Niafounké with her family. She explains: “I fled with my sister and children because armed men ordered everyone to evacuate. Now, I am here at the pediatric unit with my son, Ousmane.” In a landscape defined by displacement and hardship, having access to dependable healthcare is vital.
This project is a key component of MSF’s “Green Initiative,” a strategy dedicated to lowering the environmental impact of humanitarian work while boosting operational efficiency. For several years, the organization has been implementing hybrid solar systems across the globe, particularly in the Sahel region, to reduce the logistical challenges and pollution associated with transporting diesel to remote locations.
Beyond the ecological advantages, the financial savings are reinvested into medical services. Solar energy provides a steady foundation for laboratories, cold storage, and essential hospital departments, which improves both the working environment for staff and the standard of care for patients.
In fragile humanitarian settings, solar energy is more than just a technical fix; it is a tool for resilience and hope. Through these efforts, MSF combines medical action with environmental responsibility and long-term commitment to saving lives.
Since 2019, MSF has managed a pediatric program at the Niafounké hospital, focusing on children under the age of 15. Additionally, MSF provides support to four community health centers and conducts primary healthcare outreach in the secluded villages of the Gourma area within the Tombouctou region.
