Improving vaccination access through off-grid electrification: An assessment in Ghana

IF 4.9 2区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Energy for Sustainable Development Pub Date : 2025-08-19 DOI:10.1016/j.esd.2025.101794

Andrés Andrade Velásquez , Abdulrahman Alsanad , Katrin Lammers , Avia Linke , Nathan Johnson , Elena van Hove , Catherina Cader

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Access to reliable, clean energy is essential for quality healthcare, particularly during global health crises like COVID-19. While electricity access in Ghana has improved, a significant urban–rural divide leaves many rural communities without a stable power supply, limiting their access to quality healthcare. Although electrification and healthcare planning are inherently connected, they are often approached separately.

This study develops a stepwise methodology to integrate both sectors by combining open-source spatial analysis, energy system modelling, and multi-criteria analysis. Using Ghana as a case study, it quantifies the population with restricted healthcare access and analyses electricity demand, including additional needs for COVID-19 care. Based on this, electrification strategies are formulated for underserved health care facilities, along with a prioritisation framework.

Findings reveal that seven percent of Ghana’s health care facilities are in weak- or off-grid areas, including 172 public facilities responsible for vaccine distribution, which require reliable electricity to maintain cold chains. Electrifying these health care facilities could improve healthcare services for nearly one million people. Additionally, specialised COVID-19 treatment could increase electricity demand by up to 60 percent, leading to higher energy costs. The open-source approach of this study allows for adaptation to other country contexts, providing a scalable framework for healthcare electrification planning.

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通过离网电气化改善疫苗接种：加纳的一项评估

获得可靠的清洁能源对于高质量的医疗保健至关重要，特别是在2019冠状病毒病等全球卫生危机期间。虽然加纳的电力供应有所改善，但城乡之间的巨大差距使许多农村社区没有稳定的电力供应，限制了他们获得优质医疗保健的机会。尽管电气化和医疗保健规划有着内在的联系，但它们通常是分开处理的。本研究通过结合开源空间分析、能源系统建模和多标准分析，开发了一种逐步整合这两个部门的方法。该报告以加纳为例，量化了医疗保健服务受限的人口数量，并分析了电力需求，包括COVID-19护理的额外需求。在此基础上，为服务不足的卫生保健设施制定了电气化战略，并制定了优先次序框架。调查结果显示，加纳7%的卫生保健设施位于电网薄弱或离网地区，其中包括172个负责疫苗分发的公共设施，这些设施需要可靠的电力来维持冷链。使这些卫生保健设施电气化可以改善近100万人的卫生保健服务。此外，专门的COVID-19治疗可能会使电力需求增加多达60%，从而导致更高的能源成本。本研究的开源方法允许适应其他国家的情况，为医疗电气化规划提供可扩展的框架。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Energy for Sustainable Development ENERGY & FUELS-ENERGY & FUELS

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

9.10%

发文量

187

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Published on behalf of the International Energy Initiative, Energy for Sustainable Development is the journal for decision makers, managers, consultants, policy makers, planners and researchers in both government and non-government organizations. It publishes original research and reviews about energy in developing countries, sustainable development, energy resources, technologies, policies and interactions.