Unstable Power Supply Affects Service Delivery in Osun PHCs — Report

Unstable Power Supply Affects Service Delivery in Osun PHCs — Report

Power supply remains widespread but unstable across Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Osun State, affecting service delivery in many centres, according to the Primary Health Center State of Power Report 2024–2025 produced by Orodata Science.

The report, which assessed 69 PHCs in the state, shows that while 81 per cent of the facilities are connected to the national grid, many of them experience unreliable power supply. It adds that 16 per cent of PHCs have no power access at all, a situation that limits the delivery of essential healthcare services.

According to the findings, 29 per cent of the PHCs rely on solar power, while 13 per cent use generators as their main power source. It further indicates that 4 per cent operate on solar and generators without grid connection, 12 per cent combine generators with grid supply, while 26 per cent depend on a mix of solar and grid power.

The report notes that power challenges are impacting critical services, as 32 per cent of PHCs lack functional refrigerators for vaccine storage, affecting immunisation availability. It states that 93 per cent of the facilities cannot support emergency oxygen therapy, exposing patients in need of critical care to higher risks.

It also reveals that nine per cent of patient referrals are linked to power-related equipment failures, while power instability contributes to poor treatment quality in some facilities.

The report recommends the adoption of hybrid power solutions, noting that grid-connected clinics with solar backup systems in South Africa have achieved near round-the-clock electricity supply, a model it says could improve power stability in Osun’s PHC system.

Orodata Science and Civic Tech combine data science, technology, design, and research to improve institutional reforms, foster media innovation, bolster health systems, and facilitate access to inclusive and rich data.