UNICEF, Gavi boost healthcare with 28 solarised PHCs in Kano
PHC
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on Monday handed over 28 solar-powered Primary Health Care centres to the Kano State Government to enhance healthcare services and routine immunization in the area.
The intervention, implemented under the CDS3 Health System Strengthening programme, targets Nigeria’s 100 zero-dose Local Government Areas (LGAs) where many children remain unvaccinated and lack access to essential healthcare services.
Speaking at the event, GAVI Senior Country Manager for Nigeria, Ms Jessica Crawford, said the initiative followed a 2023 PHC functionality and energy needs assessment conducted.
She said 371 health centres nationwide were selected for solarisation, with installation works carried out between 2024 and 2025 in partnership with eHealth Systems Africa.
“In Kano, 28 PHCs were prioritised based on their location in zero-dose LGAs, absence of duplication with other projects, and unreliable or non-existent electricity supply,” she said.
Crawford explained that the project focused on facilities already providing routine immunisation, with preference for Level-2 PHCs, and on those with minimal human resources to strengthen capacity where most needed.
“This is more than infrastructure. It is about impact – building a sustainable and equitable health system for all,” she added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, said the facilities would address the challenge of zero-dose children and pregnant women without access to routine immunisation and basic healthcare.
He stated that Kano tops the list of Nigerian states with the highest zero-dose cases, adding that the solarised facilities would play a key role in eliminating the problem.
Labaran urged communities to protect the facilities and avoid converting them for personal use.
Also speaking, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Mr Rahama Farah, represented by Officer-in-Charge, Mr Michael Banda, said reliable electricity would enable proper vaccine storage, 24-hour service delivery and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Farah said the project was informed by a 2023 PHC functionality assessment, which identified 371 health centres nationwide for solarisation.
According to him, the 28 facilities were selected based on their location in zero-dose LGAs, absence of overlap with other interventions, limited or unreliable electricity, and active routine immunisation services.
He said that the installations, carried out in partnership with eHealth Systems Africa, were expected to provide uninterrupted vaccine refrigeration, 24-hour primary health care services, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
NAN reports that the hand over was attended by the Director-General, State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof. Salisu Ibrahim; representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gates Foundation, and other partners. (NAN)(www.nannews..ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
