Families of Patients Protest Electricity Blackout at UCH Ibadan

Oluwasegun SanusiNovember 11, 20241 Mins read92

Families of patients and patients at the University College Hospital (UCH) have protested, decrying the prolonged lack of electricity and water at the renowned medical institution.

The disconnect in power, reportedly due to an unsettled electricity bill, has spanned 17 days, severely impacting essential hospital services and causing delays in surgeries and lab results.

The University College Hospital’s management attributes the disconnection to an unresolved balance with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

According to officials, UCH falls under the “Band A” electricity tariff, which requires them to pay approximately N80 million monthly. However, the hospital’s failure to meet the financial demand led to the power cut, leaving patients, families, and staff grappling with challenging conditions.

During the protest, frustrated family members and patients gathered to voice their concerns. One of the protesters said, “UCH, don’t kill us! We want light.”

“You people want to destroy the prestige of UCH; it’s a premium hospital,” another voice heard in the trending video, expressing their frustration over the impact on the hospital’s reputation and the well-being of those in critical need of healthcare.

The blackout, affecting water and electricity supply, has led to interruptions in vital procedures, sparking fears about patient safety and care quality.

Nigerians have condemned the increase in electricity tariffs in Nigeria. Despite the rise in the frequent national grid collapses, it has not improved the situation for the citizens, with eleven power grid failures in 2024 already.

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