The University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, a renowned federal government-owned health facility, has been grappling with a devastating blackout for 107 days, leaving the hospital heavily reliant on alternative power sources such as generating sets, inverters, rechargeable lamps, and solar-powered fans. The power supply was cut off by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on October 26, 2024, due to an outstanding debt of N495 million, plunging the hospital into an energy crisis that has severely impacted its ability to deliver quality healthcare services.
Despite efforts from the hospital’s management and some desperate patients, the facility has descended into chaos, with parts of the hospital becoming nearly inhabitable for the genuine care services it was once known for.
On approaching the hospital, it is immediately apparent that UCH is no longer the bustling, vibrant healthcare center it once was. Once a symbol of hope for many in need of quality medical care, the hospital now lies in a state of disrepair, exacerbated by the extended blackout and the continued financial strain. From the main entrance, the near-deserted atmosphere is shocking, with very few patients seen compared to the usual high volume of visitors.
The blackout has left much of the hospital in darkness, with only sporadic areas illuminated by the backup systems provided by the management. In many parts of the hospital, especially in the wards and departments, patients and their relatives have resorted to using rechargeable lamps and portable fans just to make do. In some areas, people are forced to gather in the open to catch some air, making it even more difficult to receive proper treatment.
At the heart of the crisis is the ongoing power outage. The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected the hospital’s power supply in late October 2024 over an outstanding debt of N495 million, which the hospital has been unable to settle due to its deteriorating financial situation. According to Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, the Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at UCH, the hospital was spending approximately N80 million every month on electricity bills, despite the facility’s worsening financial conditions.
As a result, much of the hospital has been forced to rely on backup systems, such as generators and solar-powered equipment. However, these systems are inadequate to meet the facility’s needs. In critical areas like the wards, accident and emergency units, and labor wards, the hospital has deployed solar inverters and diesel-powered generators to ensure that essential medical services can continue. Yet, these measures are far from sufficient, and the hospital’s operations have been severely compromised.
The power crisis has led to a significant decline in the number of patients seeking care at UCH, as many fear that their conditions will worsen due to the lack of adequate medical infrastructure. A number of patients, who can afford it, have sought care at private or state-owned hospitals, leaving UCH with a starkly reduced number of visitors.
Miss Rebecca Odeyemi, a relative of a patient, shared her concerns, saying, “UCH has become the ghost of its former self. Nobody wants to come to the hospital again. People are afraid of the worsening conditions, and those who do come are facing additional burdens just to access medical care.”
Other patients have expressed frustration with the situation, with some stating that the hospital’s generators only run for short periods before being turned off. “To get some tests done now, the hospital can put on the generator for like 30 minutes and then switch it off. Sometimes we are asked to go outside the hospital to get our tests done,” one patient remarked. “We were asked to go to Mokola for a urine test, which should never have been the case.”
The hospital’s staff have not been immune to the challenges either. A doctor at the facility explained that staff in various departments are pooling together funds to buy fuel for the generators, but even these efforts have been insufficient to keep the facility running smoothly. “We have been rationing the power supply just to get by,” the doctor said.
In certain areas, such as the critical care units, the hospital has resorted to using generators, and in others, solar power is being used to provide minimal lighting. The Radiology Department, which is vital for diagnostic services, relies heavily on backup generators. According to Mustapha, a medical technician, the hospital switches the generators on for extended periods only in areas like the theatres, where surgeries are performed.
Despite the management’s refutation of claims that patients are bringing their own generators, it is clear that the hospital is operating at a fraction of its capacity. Management has insisted that these claims are malicious and intended to misrepresent the true situation, but the conditions at the facility paint a grim picture of the challenges the hospital faces.
The ongoing blackout has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the state of the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Social media users have been vocal in their criticism, demanding that both the federal and state governments intervene to resolve the crisis at UCH.
In response, the Oyo State Government’s Feedback and Resolutions account on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledged the power supply issues at UCH. While the hospital is federally managed, the state government is working on connecting UCH to the State’s Independent Power Plant (IPP) as a medium-term solution to the power crisis.
One concerned patient safety advocate, @Nigerian_Doctor, along with several others, called on the Ministry of Health and the media to intervene. “Patients have staged a riot on the wards. People are protesting. Yet, darkness persists. We urgently plead for your intervention,” the advocate posted.
The situation at UCH reflects the broader crisis facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, with power shortages exacerbating the strain on an already fragile infrastructure. The absence of consistent power is not only compromising patient care but also threatening the lives of those in need of urgent medical treatment.
The power outage has also led to patient protests. Last November, patients and their families staged a protest at UCH, halting hospital activities and leaving many stranded. The protest was sparked by frustration over the prolonged power cut and the lack of proper services. In a viral video from the protest, an anonymous individual expressed anger, saying, “People are in pain, and some are dying in the wards. No electricity, no light, and you sit there calling yourselves management. If there’s an issue, address it! Stop killing people here!”
Despite the federal government’s approval of a 50% subsidy on electricity for public hospitals in September 2024, the policy’s effectiveness remains unclear, as hospitals like UCH continue to struggle with mounting electricity costs.
The ongoing power crisis at UCH highlights the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, which is under extreme pressure. As the blackout continues, many Nigerians are left wondering whether their healthcare system will ever recover from the persistent challenges that plague it. The situation at UCH calls for immediate intervention from both the federal and state governments to ensure that the hospital can resume providing essential care to its patients. Without a clear solution to the power crisis, the future of the hospital and the broader Nigerian healthcare system remains uncertain.
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