Children’s health, powered by sunlight

UNDP
Nov 27, 2024

Children’s health, powered by sunlight


In the heart of capital city, Atatürk National Children's Hospital has become a source of hope and innovation, driven by renewable energy transformation. By harnessing solar power, the hospital is overcoming Afghanistan's chronic energy challenges and transforming healthcare for its most vulnerable—children and their families.

a person holding a cell phone

Decades of conflict, underinvestment, and corruption have left Afghanistan struggling with energy access. The country depends heavily on imported electricity, with a stark disparity between its demand of 4.85 gigawatts and its local generation capacity of just 0.6 gigawatts. This dependency results in frequent blackouts, high tariffs, and energy inefficiencies, impacting essential services like healthcare.

To address these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has developed a comprehensive solution at the hospital, integrating 108kW on-grid solar technology, solar water heating systems, and digital health tools. This has revitalized hospital operations, enabling critical equipment like X-rays and incubators to function without interruption and creating a better environment for patient care.