Nouakchott's main hospitals report uninterrupted medical services despite widespread power outages caused by transformer fires, highlighting emergency preparedness and the resilience of critical infrastructure in Mauritania's capital.
Nouakchott's two principal hospitals, the Centre hospitalier national and the Cheikh Zayed Hospital, have confirmed that their medical services continued without interruption during the recent electricity crisis that left large parts of the Mauritanian capital in darkness. Both institutions reported activating backup power systems to ensure the ongoing operation of essential medical equipment and patient care.
According to a statement from the Centre hospitalier national (CHN), the facility relied on a network of seven generators, including a main unit rated at 950 kVA and six additional units of 250 kVA each. These generators have been running continuously since the onset of the crisis, overseen by technical teams. The hospital also established an emergency committee to secure fuel and logistical supplies, and reinforced staffing in critical departments such as intensive care, emergency, and dialysis.
The CHN reported that no deaths had occurred as a result of the power outages up to the time of its statement, and that all medical devices remained operational. Surgical, intensive care, and dialysis services continued as scheduled, with medical teams maintaining their usual examination routines.
At Cheikh Zayed Hospital, management stated that measures were taken to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply across all units. The hospital reported that inpatient care, emergency services, consultations, and surgeries proceeded normally, supported by available backup power and ongoing monitoring by technical and administrative teams.
These assurances from Nouakchott's main hospitals come as the city faces significant disruptions in electricity supply following two fires at transformer substations within two days. The outages have affected multiple districts, raising concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure. For additional context on the broader impact of these outages and the response by Mauritania's electricity company, see this recent report on the restoration efforts following the substation fires.
Emergency Response and Infrastructure Resilience
The crisis has tested the preparedness of Nouakchott's healthcare sector and highlighted the importance of robust contingency planning. The rapid deployment of backup generators and the establishment of emergency committees at both hospitals underscore the critical need for reliable power in maintaining essential services.
Government and Utility Actions
The Mauritanian electricity company, Société mauritanienne d'électricité (Somelec), has announced the gradual restoration of power, including the commissioning of a replacement 33 kV substation expected to cover around 60% of the previous capacity once inspections are complete. President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has ordered an investigation into the causes of the fires, called for accountability, and instructed the government to accelerate efforts to restore electricity and modernise Nouakchott's distribution network.
