Holistic Approach to Sufficient, Reliable, and Efficient Electricity Supply in Hospitals of Developing Countries: Cameroon Case Study

Many healthcare facilities (HCFs) in low-income countries experience unreliable connectivity to energy sources, which adversely impacts the quality of health service delivery and provision of adequate environmental health services. This assessment explores the status and consequences of energy access through interviews and surveys with administrators and healthcare workers from 44 HCFs (central hospitals, district hospitals, health centres and health posts) in Malawi. Most HCFs are connected to the electrical grid but experience weekly power interruptions averaging 10 h; less than one-third of facilities have a functional back-up source. Inadequate energy availability is associated with irregular water supply and poor medical equipment sterilization; it adversely affects provider safety and contributes to poor lighting and working conditions. Some challenges, such as poor availability and maintenance of back-up energy sources, disproportionately affect smaller HCFs. Policymakers, health system actors and third-party organizations seeking to improve energy access and quality of care in Malawi and similar settings should address these challenges in a way that prioritizes the specific needs of different facility types.

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“…Countrywide energy matters are in the de jure purview of Malawi's Ministry of Natural (Ngounou et al 2015).…”

Section: Implications For Policy and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Energy access in Malawian healthcare facilities: consequences for health service delivery and environmental health conditions

Reuland

Behnke

Cronk

et al. 2019

Health Policy and Planning

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“…There is a serious problem with the reliability of the electricity supply in Cameroon, coupled with recurring interruptions ranging from durations of one hour to three days (Ngounou, Gonin, Gachet, & Crettenand, 2015). The main indicators that measure the reliability of electricity supply are SAIFI and SAIDI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of electricity reliability on the sustainability of SMEs in Fako Division of Cameroon

Tapang,

Mbarika

2023

Annals of Human Resource Management Research

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Purpose: To investigate the effects of the reliability of electricity supply on the sustainability of SMEs in Cameroon. Research Methodology: This study investigates the effects of the reliability of electricity supply on the sustainability of SMEs in Cameroon. The study used a quantitative approach with the philosophical underpinnings of objectivist ontology and positivist epistemology. Primary data were obtained through closed-ended questionnaires that were responded to by 54 purposively sampled participants in the Fako division. The data were analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SPSS 23 and SPSS Amos 24 software. Results: The study revealed that sporadic electricity supply interruptions, chronic electricity supply interruptions, and momentary electricity supply interruptions have no significant positive impact on the sustainability of SMEs in the Fako Division of the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Limitations: This study had a limitation in methodology, as it used a quantitative approach only. A better understanding of this study’s phenomenon can be achieved by adopting a mixed research method, where the qualitative aspect will provide a deeper understanding of the effects of other variables that affect SME sustainability. Contribution: Based on the results of this study, business managers will come to the understanding that the sustainability of their businesses is not dependent on the reliability of the electricity supply. This means that other variables responsible for the sustainability of businesses can be studied qualitatively.

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“…There are a number of pillars responsible for the sustainability of every SME. In the case of Cameroon, there is a serious problem with the pillar of the reliability of electricity supply, which is known to involve recurring interruptions ranging from durations of one hour to three days (Ngounou et al, 2017). Besides SMEs, the pillar of reliable electricity supply is generally a necessity in modern life (Rousseau, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moderating Effects of Weather Conditions on the Relationship Between Electricity Supply Reliability and Sme Sustainability

Tapang,

Enongene

2023

IJEK

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This paper aims to investigate the moderating effects of weather conditions on the relationship between electricity supply reliability and SME sustainability within the context of a developing country. The method used for analysis is a hierarchical regression with the use of SPSS AMOS 24 and slope analysis. SPSS 23 was used to test the assumptions for parametric analysis. Survey data was collected from a sample of 54 owners and managers of SMEs in the Fako Division of Cameroon. Findings revealed significant positive relationships between electricity supply reliability and SME sustainability and an insignificant positive relationship between weather conditions and SME sustainability. Furthermore, the results indicated that weather conditions moderate the relationship between electricity supply reliability and SME Sustainability in the Fako Division of Cameroon. The study found that the electricity utility company of Cameroon has the daunting task of ensuring a robust electricity supply network capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions to ensure regular electricity. The implications of the findings of the study are that prevailing weather has an influence on the reliability of electricity supply, which affects the operations of businesses. Furthermore, when the business operations of SMEs are affected, the economy of the country suffers significantly. The study recommends the involvement of the government and policymakers to institute measures to ensure the obligation of the electricity utility company to maintain minimal interruptions of electricity supply. This study’s contribution to the body of knowledge is embedded in developing a theoretical model that explains electricity supply reliability in Cameroon from a weather perspective.

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Holistic Approach to Sufficient, Reliable, and Efficient Electricity Supply in Hospitals of Developing Countries: Cameroon Case Study

Cited by 6 publications

References 1 publication

Energy access in Malawian healthcare facilities: consequences for health service delivery and environmental health conditions

Energy access in Malawian healthcare facilities: consequences for health service delivery and environmental health conditions

The effect of electricity reliability on the sustainability of SMEs in Fako Division of Cameroon

Moderating Effects of Weather Conditions on the Relationship Between Electricity Supply Reliability and Sme Sustainability

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