In the Tombouctou region of northern Mali, the hospital in Niafounké has reached a major milestone with the installation of a new solar panel system. This shift toward sustainable energy increases the facility’s self-sufficiency and ensures that medical services remain uninterrupted in a remote area frequently affected by instability.
Previously, the hospital was almost entirely dependent on a diesel-based thermal plant, which suffered from regular electricity failures. To maintain operations, medical teams had to rely on a generator every day, leading to high fuel costs and inconsistent reliability. Today, the new photovoltaic infrastructure fulfills approximately 60% of the hospital’s energy requirements, significantly decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels.
“This energy transition allows us to drastically cut costs related to generator maintenance and diesel purchases, enabling us to redirect more funds toward patient treatment,” explains Souleymane Ouattara, the project coordinator in Tombouctou. He adds that it secures the operation of life-saving equipment, such as oxygen concentrators for neonatology and pediatrics, surgical and obstetric emergency units, as well as laboratory tools, ultrasound machines, and the cold chain required for blood transfusions.
The system boasts a capacity of 90 kWp, paired with a 210 kWh lithium battery storage unit and an 80 kVA backup generator. This hybrid configuration allows the hospital to switch between solar power, the local municipal grid, and the generator, ensuring a stable electricity supply 24 hours a day.
For those seeking treatment, this newfound stability has a direct impact on their lives. Fadi, who was forced to flee her home in Léré due to threats from armed groups, sought safety in Niafounké with her family. “I escaped with my children and my sister after armed men ordered everyone to leave the village,” she says. “Now, I am here at the pediatric ward with my son, Ousmane.” In such precarious conditions, having access to dependable healthcare is vital.
This project is part of the “Green Initiative,” a strategic effort by MSF to minimize its environmental impact while boosting operational efficiency. For several years, the organization has been implementing hybrid solar photovoltaic systems across the globe, particularly in the Sahel, to reduce the need for expensive and polluting diesel, which is often difficult to transport to isolated regions.
Beyond the ecological advantages, the savings in energy costs allow for more financial resources to be invested back into medical care. Solar energy provides a stable environment for laboratories, cold storage, and essential hospital units, thereby improving the working conditions for staff and the overall quality of care for patients.
In fragile humanitarian settings, solar energy is more than just a technical upgrade; it serves as a foundation for resilience, autonomy, and hope for both healthcare facilities and the communities they support. Through these efforts, MSF combines humanitarian action with environmental responsibility and a long-term commitment to saving lives.
Since 2019, MSF has managed a pediatric project at the Niafounké hospital, focusing on the care of children under the age of 15. Additionally, the organization supports four community health centers and provides primary healthcare services in the remote villages of the Gourma area within the Tombouctou region.