The University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s foremost healthcare institutions, has been disconnected from the national electricity grid due to a significant outstanding debt of N400 million. This disruption is anticipated to impact a range of critical services within the hospital, potentially affecting patient care and treatment schedules.
According to hospital sources, the power disconnection stems from accumulated unpaid electricity bills over a prolonged period. UCH, which provides specialized medical services to thousands of patients, is now facing an urgent situation as administrators scramble to find alternative power solutions to sustain essential functions.
The hospital management has expressed concern about the immediate impact of the blackout on its daily operations, especially on life-support systems, surgical facilities, and diagnostic equipment, which heavily rely on a consistent power supply. To mitigate the crisis, UCH has reportedly deployed backup generators, though these are costly to operate on a continuous basis.
Discussions are reportedly ongoing between the hospital’s management and the relevant power authorities to negotiate a settlement plan for the outstanding debt. Hospital officials are also appealing to the federal government for intervention, noting that the budget constraints faced by healthcare institutions make it increasingly challenging to meet high operational costs, including power expenses.
