National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resolution of power crisis between the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
In a communique signed by NANS senate clerk, Oladimeji Uthman on Sunday after a press brief in Abuja, NANS lament that the development has led to significant disruptions in patient care, research, and training at the institution.
NANS further bemoaned that the situation has escalated to the point where patients, families, and staff are facing avoidable hardships, including postponed test results, canceled surgeries, and reliance on flashlights in various wards at the hospital.
While it was also noted that inability of UCH to deliver on its mandate as a leading healthcare institution had jeopardized the lives of patients and the future of students undergoing training at the hospital.
NANS however urged Federal Government to prioritize funding and give maximum support to the University College Hospital (UCH) in order to address the financial challenges and prevent future occurrences.
“The National leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has observed with grave concern the ongoing crisis between the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. This development has had dire consequences, affecting critical healthcare services and the academics of students.
“The disconnection of UCH’s power supply on October 26, 2024, due to an outstanding debt of approximately N400 million—a fraction of an accumulated bill of N3.1 billion since 2019 has led to significant disruptions in patient care, research, and training at the institution despite the health institution made payment of N2.9 billion at the same year.
“The situation has escalated to the point where patients, families, and staff are facing avoidable hardships, including postponed test results, canceled surgeries, and reliance on flashlights in various wards at the hospital.
“The inability of UCH to deliver on its mandate as a leading healthcare institution jeopardizes the lives of patients and the future of students undergoing training at the hospital. NANS strongly believes that this issue demands urgent and humane resolution. We hereby call on the Minister of Power and his counterpart at the Ministry of Health to find a lasting solution to this lingering crisis.
“To ensure that University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan continues to function effectively while addressing the legitimate concerns of IBEDC.
“We demand that IBEDC cease charging UCH under an industrial tariff structure. UCH is not a profit-making industry but a public health institution that renders essential services. The hospital’s tariff classification must reflect its non-commercial status to alleviate its financial burden.
“We also demand that IBEDC installs UCH’s meter after their transformer. The current placement of the meter before the transformer leads to inflated readings, forcing the hospital to pay for unused energy. This technical adjustment will ensure fair billing practices and prevent further financial strain on UCH.
“We also request that The University College Hospital (UCH) be removed from Band A and reassigned to Band B, which is more affordable and sustainable for the health institution. This reclassification will enable the hospital to meet its obligations without compromising the quality of care provided to patients.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) explicitly prohibits the disconnection of electricity to facilities that house life-saving machines. IBEDC must strictly adhere to this regulation and put a halt to disconnection of power at UCH to prevent further endangerment of lives.
“While we acknowledge IBEDC’s financial obligations, we would like to remind all stakeholders that healthcare institutions like University College Hospital (UCH) are critical to the survival and well-being of the populace. The disconnection between profit-driven decisions and public health necessities must be bridged with empathy and pragmatism.
“The management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) should urgently engage with the hospital management and implement the above-listed demands to end the timely crises.
“The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan to pay its portion of the indebtedness of UCH to IBEDC for power supply to the College of Medicine, Alexander Brown Hall, and Professor Ayodele Falase Postgraduate Hall that are situated within UCH premises.
“The Federal Ministry of Power and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to intervene and ensure compliance with regulations governing electricity distribution to critical infrastructure and institutions.
“The Federal Government to prioritize funding and give maximum support to the University College Hospital (UCH) to address the financial challenges and prevent future occurrences.
“As the voice of Nigerian students, we stand in solidarity with the medical students of the University of Ibadan, as well as the patients who rely on quality healthcare services of the hospital. NANS will continue to monitor this situation closely and will not hesitate to escalate its actions if our demands are not met promptly.”
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