UCH Ibadan Struggles with N80 Million Monthly Electricity Bill.
The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier teaching hospital, is currently grappling with a severe power outage due to an outstanding debt to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The hospital has been disconnected since October 26, 2024, with no electricity supply, severely affecting its operations and patient care.
UCH Ibadan Struggles with N80 Million Monthly Electricity Bill
According to Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at UCH, the hospital’s monthly electricity bills have skyrocketed to between N70 million and N80 million. The institution was placed on Band A, which comes with higher tariff rates, but UCH has been pushing for a reclassification to Band B to manage its expenses better.
“The bill is simply killing us,” Olabampe lamented, urging the Federal Government to intervene. “We are a healthcare facility focused on public welfare. Some of our patients can barely afford their bills, yet we are burdened with these high electricity costs.”
Plea for Support from Government and Philanthropists
The JOHESU chairman called on the government to negotiate with IBEDC on behalf of UCH, aiming to reduce the financial burden while ensuring the restoration of electricity. He also appealed to philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to support the hospital in this challenging time.
“IBEDC should cooperate with us by moving UCH to a lower tariff band or allow us to settle part of the debt while negotiations continue,” Olabampe added.
Patients and Staff Endure Difficult Conditions
The prolonged power outage has caused significant disruptions to medical services at UCH. Patients and their families have expressed frustrations over delayed test results and postponed treatments.
Mr. Ismail Mohammed, a relative of one patient, shared his distress: “We’ve been waiting for a test result for nearly two weeks. Every day, they tell us there’s no light. My father’s treatment has been delayed, and we’re running out of options.”
Similarly, Mr. Walter Chimee, whose baby sister requires oxygen support, described the dire situation: “The lack of power means doctors can’t even carry out basic diagnostics. We’ve had to bring rechargeable torchlights for the doctors to work at night. It’s unbearable.”
The lack of electricity has also affected water supply in the hospital, forcing patients’ families to find alternative solutions.
Hospital Management Working on Solutions
Despite the dire situation, UCH management is exploring ways to resolve the crisis. Olabampe assured that the hospital is in ongoing discussions with IBEDC to find a way forward while emphasizing the need for immediate relief.
“Without light, we are severely limited in what we can do. But the management is committed to restoring power soon,” Olabampe stated.
Call to Action
The situation at UCH highlights the urgent need for government intervention and public support to prevent the collapse of one of Nigeria’s leading healthcare institutions. As the power crisis drags on, the health and lives of patients hang in the balance, underscoring the critical role of sustainable infrastructure in the healthcare sector.
