The hospital has been dealing with a 17-day power disconnection from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), attributed to unpaid bills totaling around N495 million. UCH, billed under the "Band A" tariff, incurs approximately N80 million monthly in electricity costs.
The lack of power has disrupted essential medical services, forcing some patients to seek diagnostic services outside the hospital, while others were discharged due to limited operating capacity. Certain critical areas like the Intensive Care Unit, Labour Ward, and Dialysis Centre received only limited power from a hospital generator. Nurses reported struggling to care for patients using rechargeable lamps they had to bring from home, describing the situation as unsafe and emotionally challenging. Family members described navigating dark hospital wards as a distressing experience, with some unable to even communicate with loved ones effectively.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing hospital staff, organized the protest, urging stakeholders and government authorities to intervene. Hospital staff warned that if the power issues persist, they may be forced to limit work hours or even cease operations altogether to avoid risks to patient care and safety.
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