LocationsSolar for Health: Ministry of Health, Juba Military Hospital Light Up With Solar
August 18, 2025
Turning sunlight into healing at Juba Military Hospital. With reliable power, hospitals can undertake medical procures, operate vital machines and respond to health needs with confidence
The Ministry of Health and Juba Military Hospital have been installed with solar systems to ease health services delivery and improve leadership and coordination capacity of the Ministry.
The solar systems at the two institutions were commissioned on 5 August 2025 and 14 August 2025, respectively, and are part of the larger initiative funded by the Global Fund and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the Principal Recipient under the leadership of the Ministry of Health. Juba Military Hospital solar system has 150 kWp of solar generation capacity and 200 kWh of battery storage compared to MOH’s with 80 kWp of solar generation capacity and 150 kWh of battery storage.
Solar installation at the Ministry of Health is strengthening leadership and coordination of the health response
Cumulatively, this initiative covers 22 health facilities across South Sudan including state, teaching and referral hospitals, Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs), the National Public Health Laboratory, the Central Medical Store, and the Ministry of Health headquarters. Out of the 22 facilities, 19 have received full solar PV systems with batteries, while the rest have received battery replacements and system upgrades.
Cumulatively, the 22 facilities combined have a 1,760 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of solar energy generation capacity and 3,776 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of battery storage capacity. Within the hospitals and health facilities, solar power helps in emergency surgeries, critical care units, safe storage of blood and vaccines, and enables the effective functioning of medical equipment.
Strengthening health leadership and coordination
A new dawn. The Minister of Health Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial and partners during the commissioning of a solar system at the Ministry of Health headquarters.
The solar system will also strengthen the health leadership and coordination capacity of the Ministry of Health and its ability to manage and support health services nationwide. “By powering this headquarters with clean energy, we are making our systems more resilient, our operations more efficient, and our leadership capacity stronger,” said Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial, the Minister of Health.
She added that her Ministry will work with other partners “to expand renewable energy to more health facilities to minimize services disruption, reduce our dependence on costly diesel fuel, protect the environment, and ensure services remain uninterrupted even in times of crisis.”
Solar installation at the Ministry of Health heralds brighter days ahead and improved coordination of the health response
Speaking during the commissioning at Juba Military Hospital, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Mohamed Abchir underscored the importance of solar power in hospitals, saying:
“A hospital cannot function without a reliable power supply. By investing in solar power, we are doing far more than switching on lights—we are switching on life-saving possibilities. This clean energy solution also reduces dependence on expensive fuel, cuts carbon emissions, and ensures uninterrupted provision of health services to both the military and civilian population both day and night.”
Switching on life-saving possibilities at Juba Military Hospital. Officials from Government and UNDP during the commissioning ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Dr. Chep Chuot, the Director of Juba Military Hospital, said the installation ends an unpleasant phase where giving birth especially at night was life-threatening and strenuous as the hospital used kerosene lamps and phone lights to help pregnant women deliver babies, “Maternity was the darkest part of our hospital. It was a big problem,” he said.
Drawing from his experience, Dr. Justin Kawac, the Chairperson of South Sudan AIDS Commission and former physician at Juba Military Hospital, described the solar installation as transformative to the health services delivery environment in South Sudan, “I can attest to the challenges we faced. We used to do bedside procedures using the torch light and kerosene. So, we are seeing a shift from doing procedures with bare minimum to a cutting-edge technology,” he said.
No surgery should be carried out by candlelight. Solar panels at Juba Military Hospital
The Chairperson of the Country Coordinating Mechanism Dr. Jane Alphonse Juma asked benefitting institutions to protect, secure and take good care of the solar systems.
This call was reiterated by Dr. Michael Mading – the Director General of Reproductive Health Services in the Ministry of Health – who represented the Undersecretary of MOH during the commissioning of the solar system at Juba Military Hospital. “Solar is only going to close a gap. Use this solar as a backup, and not the main source of power. This solar will work for less than 20 hours a day, and it will be affected by the sun and weather. We still need to plan and have sustainable power in this facility,” he said.
Nimule County Hospital
Additionally, solar system at Nimule County Hospital in mid-December 2025 at a colourful function presided over by the Undersecretary Ministry of Health Hon. Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko Baime and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative – Operations Komenan Yacin Kouadio.
The Undersecretary Ministry of Health Hon. Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko Baime (4th from right), UNDP Deputy Resident Representative – Operations Komenan Yacin Kouadio (3rd from right) and other Government officials during the commissioning of the solar system at Nimule County Hospital in December 2025
The solarization initiative contributes to the country’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Solar: We used to use torch lights and kerosene lamps to do health procedures
Dr. Justin Kawac Kawac, the Chairperson, South Sudan AIDS Commission shared his experience working at the hospital during peak power disruptions. Excerpts:
Dr. Justin Kawac Kawac, the Chairperson, South Sudan AIDS Commission
As a doctor who has practiced in Juba Military Hospital, I can attest to the challenges we faced. We used to do bedside procedures using the torch light and kerosene lamps and it was a big challenge. So, we are seeing a shift from doing procedures with bare minimum to cutting-edge technology.
As a child, I grew up watching doctors from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) undertaking operations with bare minimum and recycling equipment. What we are witnessing today is not just light but a representation of our acceptance of technology, the future and trying to innovate and use sustainable energy in health services provision.
We are catching up with the rest of the world in how health care is supposed to be delivered. Healthcare workers will no longer have to strain eyes like we used to while undertaking medical procedures. So, it’s really a very admirable work and I commend UNDP for this strategic investment.
Reliable energy is vital to any health institution – from the storage of medication to the timeliness and accuracy of tests and results. From the South Sudan AIDS Commission, our success depends on health facilities like Juba Military Hospital who care not only for the men and women in uniform but also the civilian population.
I thank the SSPDF leadership for their innovation and acceptance of partnership. It shows that you already recognize that your work is not just defending the country’s sovereignty but also seen the connection between health, light and security.