Previously, the hospital relied heavily on an unreliable diesel-powered thermal plant, which frequently experienced power outages. Medical teams had to depend on daily generator use—a costly and inefficient solution. Now, the new photovoltaic solar installation meets approximately 60% of the hospital’s energy needs, significantly reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

This energy shift drastically cuts generator-related expenses, including fuel and maintenance, allowing more resources to be directed toward patient care. It ensures the continuity of critical services such as neonatal and pediatric oxygen concentrators, emergency surgeries, obstetrics, laboratory operations, ultrasound machines, and the cold chain essential for blood transfusions.

The solar array boasts a 90 kWc capacity, paired with a 210 kWh lithium battery storage system and an 80 kVA backup generator. This hybrid setup seamlessly integrates solar power, the city’s electrical grid, and the generator, guaranteeing a steady energy supply 24/7.

For patients like Fadi, who fled her village of Léré due to armed threats, reliable healthcare is now a reality. She shares, “I fled with my children and sister after armed men ordered everyone to leave. Today, I bring my son, Ousmane, to the pediatric ward.” In the face of displacement and hardship, access to dependable medical services remains vital.

This initiative aligns with MSF’s Green Initiative, a global strategy to minimize the environmental impact of its operations while boosting efficiency. For years, MSF has deployed hybrid solar systems across the Sahel to reduce reliance on diesel—a costly, polluting fuel that’s difficult to transport to remote regions.

Beyond environmental benefits, lower energy costs free up funds for medical care. Solar power stabilizes laboratory operations, refrigeration units, and essential hospital services, improving working conditions for staff and the quality of care for patients.

In a region where humanitarian needs remain dire, solar energy is more than a technical solution—it’s a lifeline of autonomy, resilience, and hope for healthcare facilities and the communities they serve. Through these efforts, MSF merges humanitarian action with environmental responsibility and sustainable progress for the greater good.

Since 2019, MSF has run a pediatric project at Niafounké Hospital, treating children under 15. The organization also supports four community health centers and runs primary and community health programs in isolated villages across the Gourma area in the Tombouctou region.