The premier world-class University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, is on the brink of paralysis, no thanks to the over 100 days of power cut by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over debts.
According to Persecondnews, the business disconnected the facility on October 26, 2024 because of a staggering N495 million debt.
Interventions by the management which provided mini power generators, inverters, rechargeable lamps, and solar-powered fans have not been effective.
Following IBEDC’s classification of the tertiary institution into Band A electricity tariff structure, which mandates payment of N80 million per month, the hospital’s power crisis became more complicated.
The federal government approved a 50% subsidy on electricity for public hospitals in September 2024 in response to the outcry from universities and other tertiary institutions across the nation regarding the excessive electricity tariff.
However, Persecondnews could not confirm its actual implementation.
Patients and caregivers are currently implementing self-help measures, with the majority of the facility still stifling traffic, especially at night.
As a result of this situation, huge number of patients and their relations has declined.
Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, the head of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at UCH, had confirmed that the hospital contributes about N80 million to electricity bills that cannot be paid for due to what he called the hospital’s worsening financial situation.
He attributed the hospital’s failure to make the payment to the supply failure that had occurred on October 26, 2024.
In addition to the corridors and for fresh air, visits to the departments, units, and wards revealed a grim state with some patients and relatives living in the corridors.
People are now afraid to go to UCH for medical care because of the deteriorating situation, according to a patient’s caregiver and relative.
The ghost of its former self has been incarnated in UCH. Nobody wants to come to the hospital again,” she said.
A patient recounting her experience said, “The hospital can put on a generating set for about 30 minutes before turning it off.” We would occasionally be asked to leave the hospital to conduct our tests. We were asked to visit Mokola for a urine test, which was inappropriate.
Because I once put to bed here and there was always power supply at the time, the situation has never been this bad. So, why all this? The institution’s doctor reported to The Guardian that the power supply had been shut off for a while.
The staff in my department contributes money to the purchase of the generator’s fuel. We have been rationing the supply to make ends meet. ”
A technician, said: “The hospital makes use of generating sets in some sections that are critical. For instance, they switch on the generators on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from morning to night for the first, second and fourth floors.
“These are the areas where we have theatres. Inverters are located on the second floor of Theatre One and Two.
The majority of the neighborhoods are only solar-powered for light. Inverters and solar power are the most common resources in laboratories. The Radiology Department, which comprises the X-ray, Ultrasound and CT scan units make use of generating sets. They run tests when the generating sets are turned on.
“The CMD office and that of CMAC (Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee) have solar power. ”
The hospital’s management responded by saying in a statement on Sunday that the claims that patients were using their own generators to power the wards were untrue.
Funmi Adetuyibi, the hospital’s public relations officer, claimed the report was a blatant attempt to misrepresent the situation at UCH and that the inclusion of images of “low capacity generators,” which the hospital does not operate, further undermined the claims.
The hospital had taken significant steps to address the power issue, according to UCH, despite IBEDC’s recent power outage.
“We remain committed to our core services; Clinical Services, Research, and Training,” the management said, adding that they had implemented a phased approach to provide sustainable electricity solutions, including the installation of solar inverters and diesel-powered generators in critical areas such as the wards, accident and emergency, labour wards, and theatres.
Users are requesting answers online and are concerned about the government’s ability to provide essential services as a result of the prolonged blackout.
To address the situation, the Oyo State Government’s Feedback and Resolutions account responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Thank you for contacting us. The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan), is aware of the issues with the power supply.
Source: Per Second News
Leave a Reply