Rural Healthcare and Renewable Energy: A Pathway to Global Sustainability and Energy Security
Asma Tabassum Happy1, Md Imran Hossain1, Rafiqul Islam2, Mohammad Shoriful Hossan Shohel1, Md Mozammel Haque Jasem3, Shown Ahmed Faysal1, MD Faisal Bin Shaikat1, Atiqur Rahman Sunny4*
Journal of Angiotherapy 8(12) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.81210197
Submitted: 09 October 2024 Revised: 13 December 2024 Published: 18 December 2024
Abstract
Background: Reliable energy access is essential for enhancing rural healthcare systems and promoting global sustainability objectives. Conventional energy systems frequently prove insufficient in rural regions, especially in developing nations. This study investigates the potential of renewable energy to bolster energy security and facilitate sustainable healthcare delivery in rural areas worldwide. Methods: We employed a qualitative content analysis technique, utilizing secondary data from international agencies, governmental papers, and peer-reviewed literature. The study rigorously examines the relationship between renewable energy advancement and enhancements in rural healthcare, highlighting environmental, economic, and health-related aspects. It additionally includes global and regional case studies to emphasize practical applications and policy initiatives. Results: The results indicate that renewable energy, especially solar and wind, provides sustainable, economical, and decentralized power options for rural healthcare systems. In areas with restricted grid connectivity, these technologies have augmented the operating capacity of healthcare facilities, facilitated digital health innovations, and improved emergency medical response. Furthermore, renewable energy aids in diminishing carbon emissions, fostering environmental sustainability, and furthering many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDGs 3, 7, and 13. Conclusion: Renewable energy is essential for enhancing rural healthcare by increasing access, reliability, and quality of service while also promoting environmental and economic sustainability. Policymakers must cultivate cohesive methods that synchronize energy policy with rural health development objectives, guaranteeing inclusive and robust healthcare infrastructure for marginalized communities globally.
Keywords: Rural Healthcare; Renewable Energy; Global; Sustainability; Energy
References
Adair-Rohani, H., Zukor, K., Bonjour, S., Wilburn, S., Kuesel, A. C., Hebert, R., & Fletcher, E. R. (2013). Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability. Global Health: Science and Practice, 1(2), 249-261. https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-13-00037
Adair-Rohani, H., Zukor, K., Bonjour, S., Wilburn, S., Kuesel, A. C., Hebert, R., & Fletcher, E. R. (2013). Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability. Glob Health Sci Pract, 1(2), 249-261. https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-13-00037
Ahmed, P., Rahman, M. F., Haque, A. K. M. M., Mohammed, M. K. A., Toki, G. F. I., Ali, M. H., Kuddus, A., Rubel, M. H. K., & Hossain, M. K. (2023). Feasibility and Techno-Economic Evaluation of Hybrid Photovoltaic System: A Rural Healthcare Center in Bangladesh. Sustainability, 15(2), 1362. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1362
Aoun, A., Adda, M., Ilinca, A., Ghandour, M., & Ibrahim, H. (2024). Comparison between Blockchain P2P Energy Trading and Conventional Incentive Mechanisms for Distributed Energy Resources—A Rural Microgrid Use Case Study. Applied Sciences, 14(17), 7618. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/17/7618
Ashakin, M. R., Bhuyian, M. S., Hosain, M. R., Deya, R. S., & Hasan, S. E. (2024). Transforming to Smart Healthcare: AI Innovations for ImprovingAffordability, Efficiency, and Accessibility. Pathfinder of Research.
Babayomi, O. O., Olubayo, B., Denwigwe, I. H., Somefun, T. E., Adedoja, O. S., Somefun, C. T., Olukayode, K., & Attah, A. (2023). A review of renewable off-grid mini-grids in Sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in energy research, 10, 1089025.
Bouregba, H., Hachemi, M., Samatar, A. M., Mekhilef, S., Stojcevski, A., Seyedmahmoudian, M., & Hamidat, A. (2024). Feasibility study of a grid-connected PV/wind hybrid energy system for an urban dairy farm. Heliyon, 10(23), e40650. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40650
Come Zebra, E. I., van der Windt, H. J., Nhumaio, G., & Faaij, A. P. C. (2021). A review of hybrid renewable energy systems in mini-grids for off-grid electrification in developing countries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 144, 111036. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111036
Cortez, R., & Quinlan-Davidson, M. (2022). Private sector engagement in public health systems. World Bank Washington, DC:.
Faruk, N., Surajudeen-Bakinde, N., Abdulkarim, A., Oloyede, A., Abiodun, O., Bello, O., Popoola, S., & Edoh, T. O. C. (2020). Rural Healthcare Delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa: An ICT-Driven Approach. International Journal Of Healthcare Information Systems And Informatics, 15, 21. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJHISI.2020070101
Gajdzik, B., Nagaj, R., Wolniak, R., Balaga, D., Žuromskaite, B., & Grebski, W. W. (2024). Renewable energy share in European industry: analysis and extrapolation of trends in EU countries. energies, 17(11), 2476.
Gicha, B. B., Tufa, L. T., Nwaji, N., Hu, X., & Lee, J. (2024). Advances in All-Solid-State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries for Commercialization. Nano-Micro Letters, 16(1), 172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01385-6
Ikejemba, E. C., Schuur, P. C., Van Hillegersberg, J., & Mpuan, P. B. (2017). Failures & generic recommendations towards the sustainable management of renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (Part 2 of 2). Renewable Energy, 113, 639-647.
Jameel, M. K., Mustafa, M. A., Ahmed, H. S., Mohammed, A. j., Ghazy, H., Shakir, M. N., Lawas, A. M., Mohammed, S. k., Idan, A. H., Mahmoud, Z. H., Sayadi, H., & Kianfar, E. (2024). Biogas: Production, properties, applications, economic and challenges: A review. Results in Chemistry, 7, 101549. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2024.101549
Kabeyi, M. J. B., & and Olanrewaju, O. A. (2023). Smart grid technologies and application in the sustainable energy transition: a review. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 42(1), 685-758. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2023.2222298
Kapuria, B., Sami Hamadeh, R., Mazloum, F., Korbane, J. A., Aung, K., Kamal, D., Chamoun, N., & Syed, S. (2024). Achieving sustainable, environmentally viable, solarized vaccine cold chain system and vaccination program-an effort to move towards clean and green energy-driven primary healthcare in Lebanon. Front Health Serv, 4, 1386432. https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2024.1386432
Karliner, J., Slotterback, S., Boyd, R., Ashby, B., Steele, K., & Wang, J. (2020). Health care’s climate footprint: the health sector contribution and opportunities for action. European Journal of Public Health, 30. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.843
Kaur, J. (2024). Towards a sustainable Triad: Uniting energy management systems, smart cities, and green healthcare for a greener future. In Emerging Materials, Technologies, and Solutions for Energy Harvesting (pp. 258-285). IGI Global.
Kerrison, S., Jusak, J., & Huang, T. (2023). Blockchain-Enabled IoT for Rural Healthcare: Hybrid-Channel Communication with Digital Twinning. Electronics, 12(9), 2128. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/9/2128
Mahmud, U., Alam, K., Mostakim, M., & Khan, M. (2018). AI-driven micro solar power grid systems for remote communities: Enhancing renewable energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Distributed Learning and Broad Applications in Scientific Research, 4.
Obaideen, K., Albasha, L., Iqbal, U., & Mir, H. (2024). Wireless power transfer: Applications, challenges, barriers, and the role of AI in achieving sustainable development goals-A bibliometric analysis. Energy Strategy Reviews, 53, 101376.
Olatomiwa, L., Sadiq, A. A., Longe, O. M., Ambafi, J. G., Jack, K. E., Abd’azeez, T. A., & Adeniyi, S. (2022). An overview of energy access solutions for rural healthcare facilities. energies, 15(24), 9554.
Osman, A. I., Chen, L., Yang, M., Msigwa, G., Farghali, M., Fawzy, S., Rooney, D. W., & Yap, P.-S. (2023). Cost, environmental impact, and resilience of renewable energy under a changing climate: a review. Environmental chemistry letters, 21(2), 741-764.
Paim, M.-A., Gershon, O., Adeyemi, A., Azubuike, S., Mu, X., & Roeben, V. (2022). SOLAR POWER FOR RESILIENT HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA. The Journal of Energy and Development, 48(1/2), 175-194.
Winiecki, J., & Kumar, K. (2014). Access to energy via digital finance: Overview of models and prospects for innovation. Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Washington, DC, USA, 1-29.
Yu, D., Tan, X., Liu, Z., Li, D., Wang, Z., Yan, P., & Ni, J. (2023). Energy saving and carbon reduction schemes for hospital with photovoltaic power generation and system upgrading technology. Heliyon, 9(11), e21447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21447
Zahid, M., Naz, M., Mumtaz, H., & Khan, S. A. (2023). COVID-19 vaccine wastage and distribution disparities in Pakistan: an editorial. Int J Surg, 109(3), 224-226. https://doi.org/10.1097/js9.0000000000000060
Wilson Center. (n.d.). Approximately 70 percent of all maternal deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Wilson Center. Retrieved from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/approximately-70-percent-all-maternal-deaths-occur-sub-saharan-africa
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (n.d.). Delivery of electricity to consumers. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/delivery-to-consumers.php
International Renewable Energy Agency. (2020). Renewable power costs in 2019. International Renewable Energy Agency. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/publications/2020/Jun/Renewable-Power-Costs-in-2019
Fullstack Economics. (n.d.). Untitled. Fullstack Economics. Retrieved from https://www.fullstackeconomics.com/p/untitled-2
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2023). Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Sep/Renewable-Power-Generation-Costs-in-2023
Whole Building Design Guide. (n.d.). Biomass electricity generation. National Institute of Building Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.wbdg.org/resources/biomass-electricity-generation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025). Summary of Inflation Reduction Act provisions related to renewable energy. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/summary-inflation-reduction-act-provisions-related-renewable-energy
World Bank. (2023, March 27). Building resilient energy solutions for health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2023/03/27/building-resilient-energy-solutions-for-health-facilities-during-the-covid-19-pandemic#:~:text=By%20working%20with%20over%2020,Niger%2C%20Zimbabwe%2C%20and%20Comoros
Thomas, N. (2025, March 21). GB Energy's first deal is £110mn grant for NHS and school solar panels. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/c7b895bf-aacb-4f5d-bad8-f5a2e43e08ff
International Energy Agency. (n.d.). Hydropower special market report: Executive summary. International Energy Agency. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/hydropower-special-market-report/executive-summary
National Hydropower Association. (2023). 2023 hydropower status report. National Hydropower Association. Retrieved from https://www.hydropower.org/publications/2023-hydropower-status-report
Adair-Rohani, H., Zukor, K., Bonjour, S., Wilburn, S., Kuesel, A. C., Hebert, R., & Fletcher, E. R. (2013). Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability. Global Health: Science and Practice, 1(2), 249-261. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-13-00037
Bhandari, R., & Stadler, I. (2011). Off-grid rural electrification with renewable energy technologies: An overview of the literature. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(2), 217-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.136
Dai, H., Xie, X., Xie, Y., Liu, J., & Masui, T. (2016). Green growth: The economic impacts of large-scale renewable energy development in China. Applied Energy, 162, 435-449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.10.049
Hirmer, S., & Guthrie, P. (2017). The benefits of energy appliances in the off-grid energy sector based on seven case studies in rural Uganda. Energy for Sustainable Development, 37, 50-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2017.01.003
Korkovelos, A., Mentis, D., Siyal, S. H., & Bazilian, M. (2019). A geospatial assessment of small-scale renewable energy potential for rural healthcare facilities in developing countries. Energy for Sustainable Development, 50, 48-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2019.03.002
Palit, D., & Chaurey, A. (2011). Off-grid rural electrification experiences from South Asia: Status and best practices. Energy for Sustainable Development, 15(3), 266-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2011.07.004
Schnitzer, D., Lounsbury, D. S., Carvallo, J. P., Deshmukh, R., Apt, J., & Kammen, D. M. (2014). Microgrids for rural electrification: A critical review of best practices. Energy for Sustainable Development, 22, 42-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2014.06.003
United Nations. (2022). The sustainable development goals report 2022. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2022/
World Energy Council. (2022). Energy trilemma index 2022: Balancing energy security, equity, and sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.worldenergy.org/reports
World Health Organization. (2015). Access to modern energy services for health facilities in resource-constrained settings: A review of status, significance, challenges, and measurement. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241507646
Geothermal Energy Association. (2021). Values of geothermal energy. Geothermal Energy Association. Retrieved from https://geothermal.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/Values_of_Geothermal_Energy.pdf
International Renewable Energy Agency. (n.d.). Geothermal energy. International Renewable Energy Agency. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Technology/Geothermal-energy
View Dimensions
View Altmetric
Save
Citation
View
Share