Powering Health Services with Solar Energy: A Climate-Resilient Push in Sistan and Baluchestan 

UNICEF, with generous funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea, is supporting the solarization of Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential health services across Chabahar and four neighboring districts—Konarak, Qasre Qand, Dashtiari, and Zarabad—through the installation of hybrid solar power systems.  

A comprehensive field assessment across eight rural primary healthcare facilities in this province in May 2025 conducted by UNICEF and Chabahar University of Medical Sciences , indicated a critical lack of reliable electricity that endangers essential services such as vaccine storage, safe childbirth, water pumping, and sterilization. In response, a solarization initiative has been launched, with six facilities selected for the first phase. The project will equip centres with photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and smart load controllers to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Implemented in close coordination with the Chabahar Department of Health and the local electricity authority, the initiative includes a clear roadmap for procurement, installation, and maintenance, with active involvement of local engineers and health workers to ensure long-term sustainability.  

To ensure sustainability, UNICEF will provide training for Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) staff and PHC technicians, with maintenance duties gradually handed over to local authorities through formal agreements. In Sistan and Baluchestan, one of Iran’s most underserved and disaster-prone provinces, this renewable energy project offers a model for climate-smart, self-reliant healthcare. Supported by the Republic of Korea, it strengthens essential health and WASH services, ensuring continued care for mothers and children during emergencies and advancing UNICEF’s commitment to resilient, equitable access for all.