World Bank Stresses Stable Electricity as Foundation for Strong Healthcare Systems

The World Bank has emphasized that reliable electricity supply is essential for building resilient healthcare systems, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. According to the global lender, hospitals and clinics cannot function effectively without steady power to run life-saving equipment, preserve medicines, and support emergency care.

In a recent briefing, the World Bank noted that many healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income nations still rely on unstable electricity grids or expensive generators, leaving patients vulnerable during blackouts. This, it said, undermines efforts to improve maternal care, manage chronic illnesses, and respond to health emergencies such as pandemics.

Experts argue that investing in stable power — whether through national grids, renewable energy, or hybrid systems — is not just an infrastructure issue but also a matter of saving lives. For instance, reliable electricity ensures that vaccines remain refrigerated, surgeries can be carried out safely, and digital health records can be maintained.

For ordinary citizens, the message is simple: without power, healthcare cannot work properly. The World Bank urged governments, private investors, and development partners to prioritize energy access in healthcare planning, saying this would strengthen resilience and equity in health services.

In plain language, the call is a reminder that good health is tied to more than doctors and medicines — it also depends on electricity. When hospitals have power, communities have a better chance at survival and recovery.