- University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan faces power outages due to a N3.1 billion debt, disrupting services.
- The blackout, caused by IBEDC, follows a similar outage in March and has sparked protests.
For over two weeks, the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan has been grappling with persistent power outages, which have severely affected its operations. The power cut, which began on October 26, resulted from an unpaid electricity debt of approximately N400 million, part of a larger outstanding balance of N3.1 billion owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) since 2019.
In a statement on its official Facebook page, UCH management confirmed that the IBEDC had intentionally disconnected the power supply due to the hospital’s mounting debt. The statement, signed by hospital spokesperson Funmi Adetuyibi, highlighted the blackout’s disruptive impact, noting that it had hindered the hospital’s ability to deliver its core services, including patient care, research, and medical training.
The blackout has led to widespread frustration among patients and their families, with some staging protests at the hospital recently. Protestors voiced concerns over the delays in receiving crucial medical services, such as postponed test results, which they say are directly linked to the power outage.
This recent blackout is not an isolated incident. In March 2024, UCH faced a similar power cut that lasted 16 days, prompting protests from hospital staff and a threat of strike action. Workers, represented by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have expressed ongoing frustration over the recurrent power disruptions, making it challenging to provide adequate care and perform daily duties effectively.
In a related development, UCH had previously imposed an N1,000 daily electricity surcharge on patients admitted to the hospital in July 2022, citing high electricity tariffs and rising diesel costs. However, the hospital later denied claims that the surcharge was directly tied to electricity payments.
An anonymous official from UCH’s works department, who spoke to *Premium Times*, confirmed that the hospital is operating at a significant financial loss and cannot meet its electricity obligations without such measures. The official disclosed that UCH receives monthly electricity bills ranging from N50 million to N60 million from IBEDC.
The ongoing power crisis at UCH underscores the financial challenges faced by public hospitals in Nigeria. Inadequate funding and mounting debts are increasingly affecting the delivery of essential healthcare services.