By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh
In a milestone effort to strengthen Sierra Leone’s healthcare infrastructure and expand sustainable energy access, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Friday, 13 June 2025, officially commissioned Phase 3 of the Sierra Leone Electrification Project at Connaught Hospital the nation’s oldest and largest referral medical facility.
Held on the hospital grounds in central Freetown, the commissioning ceremony drew high-level government officials, energy and health sector professionals, civil society leaders, and engineers, the event marked a major step forward in the government’s commitment to ensuring reliable electricity in critical public institutions.
Phase 3 of the project features the installation of hybrid solar energy systems and improved national grid connections, delivering stable, 24-hour power to Connaught hospital, this development is expected to dramatically enhance emergency response capabilities, protect life-saving medical equipment, and ensure continuity of care in high-dependency units such as operating theatres, intensive care, neonatal services, and laboratories.
In his keynote address, minister of health and sanitation Dr. Austin Demby described the electrification as a turning point in our pursuit of resilient healthcare systems, reliable electricity at Connaught means faster emergency responses, fewer disruptions in surgical procedures, and better patient outcomes. For too long, power outages have compromised critical care. This initiative ends that cycle, he said.
Dr. Demby also highlighted the cost-saving benefits of reducing reliance on diesel generators, which will allow for extended service hours and a more efficient hospital operation overall, the electrification of Connaught is part of a broader national energy strategy aligned with Sierra Leone’s energy sector recovery Plan and the UN’s Sustainable development Goal 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Ms. Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Country Manager for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) the project’s implementing partner explained the national importance of the initiative, since 2022, we have been rolling out clean energy systems in both rural and urban health facilities across the country, powering Connaught is symbolic it’s not just about lighting up a hospital, but about powering hope and progress for an entire nation, she added that future phases will extend to more healthcare and educational institutions, reinforcing the momentum toward universal energy access.
Vice President Jalloh reaffirmed the government’s dedication to inclusive development, highlighting energy access as a critical enabler of public service delivery, particularly in the health sector, we are investing not just in infrastructure, but in the wellbeing of our people, the vice president said, this electrification project is part of a larger national commitment to making sure that no Sierra Leonean is left behind when it comes to essential services like healthcare.
He praised the collaborative efforts of partners, noting that such impactful outcomes stem from strategic planning, innovation, and a shared vision of progress, as Phase 3 becomes operational, Connaught Hospital now represents a beacon of what effective energy investment can achieve in the healthcare sector. Staff and patients alike many of whom have endured the challenges of power instability can now look forward to a safer, more reliable environment for treatment and recovery.
The project’s success illustrates the transformative power of clean energy in building stronger, more resilient institutions and improving lives across Sierra Leone.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 16TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
