University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan is currently facing a persistent power outage, much to the distress of patients, their families, and hospital staff.
Recent reports indicate that the hospital is grappling with a complete blackout following its disconnection from the national grid by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The power supply to the hospital was cut off on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024, due to an accumulated debt of over N400 million, as stated by IBEDC.
On the other hand, the hospital management contests this amount, citing their debt at N241 million.
Observations made during a visit to the hospital revealed the adverse impact of the power outage on essential operations.
Many vital medical equipment and facilities reliant on electricity have been rendered unusable, leading to the referral of services such as X-rays, blood tests, and urine tests to external facilities.
Furthermore, the disruption in power supply has also affected water availability, forcing patients and their families to resort to purchasing sachet water or even bringing water from home.
A local resident, Mr. Akinloye, shared his experience of fetching water from a distant location to assist his sister who had recently given birth at the hospital.
Similarly, another resident, Dr. Kolawole, expressed frustration after being directed to seek an X-ray outside the hospital premises due to the absence of electricity.
JAC Reports on the Use of Torchlights for Patient Care
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing various unions within the hospital, highlighted the challenges faced by staff in delivering patient care amidst the power outage.
During a congress attended by hospital personnel, JAC Chairman, Comrade Oludayo Olabampe, emphasized the use of torchlights by staff to attend to patients in the darkened facility.
He stressed the need for urgent restoration of power to ensure that medical services can be effectively provided to patients in need.
Olabampe urged the intervention of government authorities and other stakeholders to address the dire situation at the hospital.
UCH Responds to Debt Dispute with IBEDC
In response to the power disconnection, the Public Relations Officer of UCH, Funmi Adetuyibi, acknowledged the outstanding debt issue and assured that efforts were being made to settle the dues.
Adetuyibi revealed that IBEDC demanded an immediate payment of N250 million for power restoration, despite the hospital’s claim of a lower outstanding bill of N241 million.
She emphasized the hospital’s commitment to providing optimal medical care to patients, dispelling the notion of an accumulated debt of N495 million over the past three years.
IBEDC Defends Disconnection Over Debt
Meanwhile, IBEDC defended its decision to disconnect power to UCH, citing the hospital’s debt surpassing N400 million.
In a statement by Johnson Tinuoye, IBEDC’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, the company expressed the challenges faced in recovering the long-standing overdue balance from the hospital.
Despite attempts to engage with UCH management regarding the debt, IBEDC highlighted the necessity of timely payments to sustain power supply operations and alleviate the financial strain on distribution companies.