In July 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) completed a transition to solar energy at Kaffin Madaki Pediatric Hospital, in Bauchi State. This marks a major step toward reducing the hospital’s reliance on diesel generators, which previously consumed approximately 130 litres of fuel daily. This shift aligns with MSF's broader commitment to lowering its carbon footprint and safeguarding the environments where we work.

Before the solar installation, the hospital was responsible for emitting 116 tons of CO2 annually. With the integration of renewable solar power, we are expecting the emissions to drop to 19.32 tons per year.

The health situation faced by local communities in Bauchi is a stark reminder as to why it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The diseases MSF primarily treats, such as malaria and malnutrition, are worsened by climate change. Warmer temperatures and erratic weather patterns lead to the proliferation of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant water. These diseases disproportionately affect children under five, with life-threatening complications becoming more common.

In Bauchi, current the malnutrition crisis is dramatic. MSF facilities across northern Nigeria have reported an alarming rise in malnutrition rates. Compared to 2023, the number of admissions in the inpatient and outpatient nutrition facilities in Bauchi has increased by 127% and 123%, respectively, with a malaria positivity rate of 76% among patients.

The solar power project not only decreases the hospital's environmental impact but also ensures a more reliable energy source, allowing MSF to provide uninterrupted medical care in this critical period. This transition highlights MSF’s dual commitment: saving lives while protecting the environment and the communities we support.