Building power-ful health systems: the impacts of electrification on health outcomes in LMICs

Ibrahim, M (通讯作者),Univ Oxford, Dept Social Policy & Intervent, Oxford, England.
2022-12-15
Critical disparities threaten health care in developing countries and hinder progress towards global development commitments. Almost a billion people and thousands of public services are not yet connected to electricity - a majority in sub-Saharan Africa. In economically fragile settings, clinics and health services struggle to gain and maintain their access to the most basic energy infrastructure. Less than 30% of health facilities in LMICs report access to reliable energy sources, truncating health outcomes and endangering patients in critical conditions. While 'universal health coverage' and 'sustainable energy for all' are two distinct SDGs with their respective targets, this review challenges their disconnect and inspects their interdependence in LMICs. To evaluate the impact of electrification on healthcare facilities in LMICs, this systematic review analysed relevant publications up to March 2021, using MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.gov and CINAHL. Outcomes captured were in accordance with the WHO HHFA modules. A total of 5083 studies were identified, 12 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this review - most were from Africa, with the exception of two studies from India and one from Fiji. Electrification was associated with improvements in the quality of antenatal care services, vaccination rates, emergency capabilities and primary health services; with many facilities reporting high-quality, reliable and continuous oxygen supplies, refrigeration and enhanced medical supply chains. Renewable energy sources were considered in six of the included studies, most highlighting their suitability for rural health facilities. Notably, solar-powered oxygen delivery systems reduced childhood mortality and length of hospital stay. Unavailable and unreliable electricity is a bottleneck to health service delivery in LMICs. Electrification was associated with increased service availability, readiness and quality of care - especially for women, children and those under critical care. This study indicates that stable and clean electrification allows new heights in achieving SDG 3 and SDG7 in LMICs.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
卷号:27|页码:124-137
ISSN:1354-8506|收录类别:SCIE
语种
英语
来源机构
Utrecht University; Utrecht University Medical Center; University of Khartoum; University of Oxford; University of Brighton; University of Sussex; University of Cape Town; University of Oxford
资助信息
This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAA)]; UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) [Accelerating Achievement for Africa's Adolescents].
被引频次(WOS)
1
被引频次(其他)
1
180天使用计数
3
2013以来使用计数
3
EISSN
1465-3966
出版年
2022-12-15
DOI
10.1080/13548506.2022.2109049
WOS学科分类
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
学科领域
循证公共卫生
关键词
Electrification public health clean energy Sustainable Development Goals health systems LMICs
资助机构
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)) UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) [Accelerating Achievement for Africa's Adolescents]