Families of patients at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, held a peaceful protest in response to persistent power outages that have heavily impacted medical care.
This protest highlighted the ongoing frustrations within the hospital, which has been grappling with frequent power disruptions since it was classified as a Band A electricity consumer by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
The disruptions have become increasingly severe, with a complete blackout persisting since October 26, when IBEDC disconnected UCH over an unresolved debt issue.
The disconnection has placed immense strain on the hospital’s ability to function effectively, with power necessary for life-saving equipment and basic utilities.
Disputes over the accumulated electricity bills have complicated the situation, prompting the Joint Health Sector Unions to appeal to the Federal Government for urgent intervention to restore consistent power to the facility.
Families of admitted patients shared distressing accounts of their loved ones’ deteriorating conditions due to delayed treatments and compromised testing capabilities.
“We are tired of our loved ones suffering; patients are dying because they cannot receive the medical tests needed for treatment,” said one protester, who requested anonymity.
The protester expressed frustration over how the outages have stalled both initial medical assessments and ongoing treatments, driving families to despair.
Speaking passionately on the impact of the outages, Adetunji Lawal, another protester, questioned, “What measures can be implemented to ensure that power supply becomes a priority for healthcare facilities like UCH?”
He argued that the crisis underscored the need for an urgent and committed approach to address Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, adding, “The reality of healthcare in Nigeria, often challenged by inadequate infrastructure, must be addressed with urgency and commitment.”
Another protester, Ismail Mohammed, shared his plight, “We did a test for almost two weeks now, but the result is not yet out. They have been telling us the same story of ‘no light’ and ‘no light’ since then.”
His father’s medical care has been in limbo, awaiting test results delayed by the power outage, with doctors unable to proceed without the necessary information.
Similarly, Mr. Water Chimee recounted that his baby sister, who is on oxygen, could not receive treatment until test results were available, adding that the family even resorted to bringing rechargeable torch lights for use by doctors amid the power crisis.
The hospital’s management, according to sources, was in a meeting at the time of reporting, discussing possible solutions.
Chairman of UCH’s JOHESU branch, Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, expressed dismay at IBEDC’s electricity bill, which he described as “alarming and outrageous for a hospital such as UCH.”
He said that UCH could not afford the high costs associated with Band A, where consumers are billed at the highest tier, and called for reclassification to Band B.
“The bill is killing. IBEDC put UCH on Band A but we can’t afford the bill of Band A,” Olabampe said, adding that the hospital is also burdened by expenses from running diesel generators.
UCH reportedly incurs monthly charges between N70 million and N80 million, a significant financial strain for a government-owned hospital that often provides treatments to patients unable to cover their medical bills.
Olabampe urged philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to support the hospital, stating that the facility serves the welfare of the public, with some patients unable to afford their medical bills even after treatment.
He called on IBEDC to collaborate with UCH’s management to allow partial payment of the bill, while further negotiations on the debt continue.
Despite the setback, Olabampe emphasized that UCH’s management is working tirelessly to resolve the crisis, with the assurance that power restoration remains a top priority.
“The management is trying to find a way out of this. There is nothing much one can do without light, other than to manage,” he said, noting that JOHESU has been kept informed of the unfolding situation.
He reiterated that if IBEDC doesn’t downgrade the hospital to Band B, UCH will continue to struggle financially.
“IBEDC must remove us from Band A. If not, we will continue to run in debt,” he concluded.
