On December 23, Hospital Justinien in Haiti's northern region maintained operations despite persistent rain. Located in Cap-Haitien, the Justinien University Hospital (JUH) is a crucial healthcare facility serving over a million people. The hospital now meets 60 to 75% of its energy needs through renewable sources.
Dr. Turenne Calil, the newly appointed manager, highlighted the challenges faced due to unreliable national grid power and past reliance on diesel generators. "For nearly ten years now, the city of Cap Haitian has struggled with energy supply through the national grid," said Dr. Calil.
The strain on JUH has increased due to limited access to health facilities in Port au Prince, where gang violence has damaged much of the infrastructure. Out of 93 healthcare institutions there, 65 have been closed or destroyed.
Electricity access in Haiti is low, with only 45% coverage and high costs due to reliance on imported fossil fuels. Renewable energy systems have reduced dependency on diesel, which was costly and contributed to pollution. Agnès Bérénice Surfin Etienne from JUH noted that they previously spent US$22,000 monthly on diesel but have cut fossil fuel use by over 60%, reallocating funds to improve care quality.
Renewable technologies offer cleaner and more reliable electricity for public sector facilities like hospitals. This approach benefits overall healthcare performance and extends service hours.
The Ministries of Health and Public Works are implementing solar photovoltaic systems in five major hospitals, impacting over 1.5 million people in southern and northern Haiti. "Access to energy is vital for a hospital as we have a lot of equipment that requires a reliable source of electricity," said Dr. Pitherson Gauthier from Port Salut Community Hospital.
The initiative received funding from the International Development Association of the World Bank, providing continuous energy to hospitals like Port Salut and Camp Perin while others receive partial support. Local firms will manage technical follow-up and maintenance.
Dr. Turenne Calil emphasized the importance of reducing carbon footprints while offering quality services: “It is relevant that we can offer quality services at the hospital while reducing the carbon footprint."
Two additional hospitals will soon benefit from similar renewable systems, enhancing Haiti's healthcare infrastructure further.