Energy for Health (E4H) in Mizoram is a joint initiative by the Government of Mizoram and SELCO Foundation. As the state government focusses on decentralising healthcare services as a strategy to enhance healthcare access for the people who have to negotiate Mizoram’s gruelling terrains and weather conditions, E4H has ensured reliable energy for sub-centres, thereby enhancing maternal and child health and family welfare services and immunisation points. In fact, at the time of going to press, E4H had reinforced service delivery across all health facilities in the state, which includes primary health centres and community health centres.

Mizoram’s decision to achieve energy independence via E4H has not only benefitted the millions of people who rely on public healthcare but also improved the viability of the modernisation effort and generated savings for the health department. Additionally, the programme has provided engagements to solar energy service providers, which indirectly contributes to local economies and boosts adoption of solar energy across sectors.

E4H creates systems and processes that demonstrate ownership, management, and maintenance of the systems and appliances locally. It builds technical knowledge and capacity, as well as informs guidelines and policies that will enable health departments across the country, and beyond, to plan for sustainable public health infrastructure.