By Eniola Akinsipe
The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital; and Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital have received a combined 90-kilowatt solar inverter system from NEST360, an international alliance advancing newborn survival across Africa.
At UCH, a 60-kilowatt solar inverter was commissioned for the Special Care Children’s Unit, while Adeoyo and Oni Memorial each received 15-kilowatt systems. The installations are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power for critical neonatal care.
NEST360, a global initiative focused on reducing neonatal mortality through evidence-based and scalable solutions, has now provided interventions in 23 health facilities across Nigeria. Its support spans the supply of affordable neonatal equipment, capacity building for healthcare workers and strengthening of neonatal systems.
Speaking at the commissioning held in UCH’s boardroom, the Country Lead of NEST360, Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, commended the hospital for its “strong collaboration” with the alliance since 2020. She described neonatal mortality in Nigeria as dire, stressing that “Nigeria ranks second globally in newborn deaths.”
Ezeaka said NEST360, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, has been equipping hospitals with radiant warmers, oxygen concentrators, syringe pumps and other essential devices. “We value this partnership deeply. Our goal is to ensure that every newborn has the chance to survive and thrive,” she said.
Also speaking, NEST360 Country Director, Dr. Opeyemi Odedere, described the solar installations as “life-changing interventions for newborns requiring uninterrupted power.” He said the organisation not only provides power solutions but also vital equipment for diagnosis, monitoring and neonatal management, alongside training on equipment use and maintenance.
“This solar inverter will definitely impact the care of newborn babies. Through the support of UCH’s management, the work we do becomes more meaningful,” he added.
UCH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, lauded NEST360 for what he called a transformative five-year partnership with the hospital. He said two of his administration’s pillars—partnership and progress—have been strengthened by NEST360’s continuous support across departments.
Otegbayo noted that power supply remains one of the hospital’s most significant constraints. “This 60KVA inverter is no small achievement,” he said. He recalled a recent visit by the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, who acknowledged persistent national energy challenges. The CMD said the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, would formally convey appreciation to NEST360.
UCH also presented Ezeaka with its highest individual award for contributions to newborn healthcare.
At Adeoyo and Oni Memorial hospitals, where 15-kilowatt systems were unveiled, Odedere reiterated the centrality of electricity to healthcare delivery. “Reliable power supply is the backbone of quality healthcare,” he said, calling the intervention “a life-saving investment.”
He noted that uninterrupted power often determines survival outcomes for premature and critically ill babies whose life-support equipment must run continuously. Odedere commended the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Hospital Management Board for creating an enabling environment for the project.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the intervention as “mind-blowing,” saying it would guarantee 24-hour electricity for neonatal equipment and improve survival rates among premature babies. She said governments cannot shoulder healthcare burdens alone and called for sustained partnerships.
Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, assured that biomedical engineers would receive continuous training to ensure proper maintenance. He praised Governor Seyi Makinde for staffing health facilities and strengthening service delivery.
NEST360, which began in Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania and was adopted by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health in 2019, started its Nigerian rollout at LUTH and UCH. In 2021, it expanded to Adeoyo and Oni Memorial, before extending in 2024 to 14 additional facilities across Abuja, Oyo, Kano, Kaduna and Lagos.
The alliance said it remains committed to equipping hospitals with affordable, high-quality technologies and driving quality improvement in newborn care, in alignment with Nigeria’s national agenda to reduce infant and maternal mortality.
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