The World Health Organization says large-scale electrification of rural health facilities in sub-Saharan countries is key to boosting Africa’s ability to cope with disease outbreaks.

WHO’s sustainable energy adviser, Salvatore Vinci, told a conference on Wednesday that connecting health facilities with electricity in the global south will support vaccine storage and operate diagnostic machines and life-saving incubators.

Terming energy access as an enabler in the provision of quality healthcare in Africa, Vinci urged governments, investors and donors to bridge the access gap through innovative financing, policy and regulatory reforms.

According to WHO data, 15 percent of health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa are yet to be electrified, undermining efforts to reduce a disease burden fueled by poverty and climatic shocks.

Vinci said that by leveraging cleaner energy sources including solar and wind, developing countries in Africa will benefit from health systems resilience in the face of multiple shocks linked to climate change.