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Ukraine: Generators help healthcare facilities stay operational during electricity blackouts

In Kyiv Oblast, electricity outages can last for many hours and, at times, up to two days. For healthcare facilities, prolonged blackouts can affect patient care, heating, diagnostic equipment and the safe storage of medicines. To help medical facilities keep operating when the grid is down, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), with emergency support from the Grundfos Foundation, delivered eight generators across the region.

A DRC staff member stands beside a flatbed truck carrying two large generators, with a crane positioned overhead and a DRC-branded vehicle in the foreground.

A stable electricity supply is important for healthcare throughout the year. Medical facilities rely on power to operate diagnostic equipment and maintain the cold chain for vaccines and medicines such as insulin. During winter, back-up power is also critical for keeping buildings at safe temperatures when electricity is unavailable for extended periods.

Back-up power for a new healthcare facility

One of the generators was delivered to a newly built primary healthcare facility in Kyiv Oblast, which is expected to open later this year and serve around 8,000 people.

The building had already been constructed but did not have a back-up power source capable of meeting the facility’s needs during prolonged blackouts. Smaller generators may cover limited needs, but often cannot provide enough power for an entire medical facility.

The new generator will allow medical staff to operate equipment, keep medicines at safe temperatures and provide heating during colder periods when grid electricity is unavailable.

“This generator is critical for us,” says a representative of the healthcare facility. “Without stable electricity, we cannot protect medicines, keep the building warm in winter or guarantee safe conditions for patients and staff.”

The eight generators were provided by DRC with emergency support from the Grundfos Foundation, helping healthcare facilities across Kyiv Oblast continue providing care during prolonged power cuts.