Stakeholders in Ibadan, including traditional leaders, the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, ICPI, and prominent sons and daughters of the city, have expressed deep concern over the constant power outages at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.
These outages, they noted, have critically impacted healthcare delivery at the institution, leaving underprivileged patients vulnerable and exacerbating distress among residents of Ibadan and Oyo State.
The situation has drawn widespread condemnation, with stakeholders warning that the hospital, a beacon of healthcare excellence in the Southwest, is on the brink of collapse due to persistent power shortages.
Mounting Public Protests
In recent months, the crisis has led to widespread protests. Patients at UCH staged demonstrations decrying the substandard healthcare services caused by power shortages. Similarly, students of the University of Ibadan recently took to the streets to voice their concerns over the deteriorating situation at the hospital.
The ICPI in a statement called for immediate government intervention to rescue UCH. The ICPI highlighted that UCH is not just a healthcare facility but a heritage of national importance.
Rising Electricity Bills
A key issue compounding UCH’s challenges is its escalating electricity bills. ICPI noted that the hospital was moved by IBEDC from Band B tariff to Band A, as its monthly electricity bill jumped from ₦20 million to ₦99 million. Stakeholders questioned the rationale behind this decision, considering the hospital’s limited financial resources.
“How can a hospital struggling to pay ₦20 million be expected to pay ₦99 million monthly? Where will they get such funds,” the ICPI queried, pointing out the dire consequences for critical healthcare delivery.
The statement also questioned whether similar billing increases were imposed on other teaching hospitals across Nigeria. It urged the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to consider concessions for UCH due to its vital role in healthcare delivery.
Stakeholders lamented the lack of action from both state and federal authorities. Despite numerous letters and appeals from UCH management to the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and IBEDC, no resolution has been reached.
“President Tinubu has been kind to Ibadan by appointing an Ibadan son as Minister of Power, but what has been done to address this issue? How many more lives will be lost before decisive action is taken?” the ICPI asked.
In a related development, the Legacy Stars of Ibadan, an affiliate of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, has joined the call for a speedy intervention on the plight of UCH.
The Chairman of the Association’s Board of Trustees, Asiwaju Mogaji Akinade Nurudeen, expressed dissatisfaction with the persistent power supply issues. He emphasized the group’s readiness to collaborate with UCH and IBEDC to find lasting solutions.
“We Ibadan indigenes are known for upholding the dignity of the Yoruba kingdom. We are committed to resolving this crisis and ensuring UCH regains its reputation as a center of medical excellence,” he said during a visit to UCH.
The Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo expressed gratitude for the support from prominent Ibadan indigenes. He described electricity as the hospital’s most pressing challenge and called for immediate and collective efforts to address the issue.
Prof. Otegbayo stated that while UCH is an old institution facing innumerable maintenance challenges, electricity remains the most critical issue.
He appealed to all stakeholders, particularly the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes worldwide, to assist in providing both short-term and long-term solutions.
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