Blackout: Mixed reactions as UCH cries out over debt burden
Some Nigerians have expressed mixed feelings over the current situation at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.
This is as the hospital has cried out for help, saying it was overburdened by the financial challenges.
It also blamed the high debt burden on successive administrations, who left unpaid electricity bills to the tune of N328m.
UCH, which was commissioned on 20th November, 1957, is the first teaching hospital in the country.
The tertiary health institution is currently in total darkness after it was disconnected from the national grid by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024.
Those who spoke with DAILY POST described the situation as worrisome, with some of them querying what the hospital was doing with the money being generated daily.
Prolonged power outage not new in UCH – Mother of ex-patient
An-Ibadan based woman said that prolonged power outages were not new in UCH.
The middle aged woman, who gave birth to a baby last year, narrated how she quickly took her daughter to a private hospital due to a power outage in the hospital.
She said, “I had a baby in September last year in Lagos; the baby was sick so after 7 days I came to UCH to get treatment for her. She had to have an emergency blood transfusion and had to be put under light for jaundice.
“Can you believe there was no light to put the babies in the ICU under blue light? After 24 hours, I had to ask that she be quickly discharged. I took her to a private hospital to get treatment.
“Some babies could not be saved and some probably had complications. I am sad to see that they are still experiencing this in 2024. This is terrible”.
What is UCH doing with revenue generated – Ibadan resident queries
Another resident of Ibadan, identified as Mr. Ajibola queried why the hospital is owing such an amount of money.
He added that what was happening to UCH was as a result of corruption.
“The question is why are they owing. The high medical bills people are paying, where is the money going to?
“If Nigeria will be a better place, we all must be ready to do the right thing, as simple as obeying traffic orders, which many of us in this community do not do.
“Many of us are also corrupt and contributing to the problem of Nigeria”.
Investigate why UCH is owing IBEDC N400m – Health professional
A health worker, who identified himself as Mr. Akindele, called for an enquiry to ascertain why the hospital was owing such an amount of money.
He added that members of the public should ask the management of the hospital why it was owing the electricity distribution company.
“If small private healthcare businesses can power their offices, you journalists should investigate what UCH does with the revenue it generates,” he declared.
What is going on in UCH is very unfortunate – Chairman, Apete – Awotan Landlords/Landladies Association
The Chairman, Apete – Awotan Landlords/Landladies Association, Mr. Rasak Fabayo in his own reaction, described what is happening at the hospital as unfortunate, blaming it on corruption.
“What is going on in UCH is very unfortunate. I don’t expect them to owe IBEDC.
“It’s not only about electricity. The hospital has so much equipment that can make life more comfortable for the staff and patients, but due to the corrupt nature of the system, all these are not working again. The system is so corrupt,” he said.
Our IGR not enough to settle bills – PRO
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Funmi Adetuyibi, has said that the current internally generated revenue by the hospital is not enough to settle the bills.
Adetuyibi made this declaration while speaking with DAILY POST at the weekend.
The PRO insisted that the present Chief Medical Director of the hospital met a sum of N328m electricity debt on assumption of office in 2019.
“The present Chief Medical Director, Professor Jesse Otegbayo came on board on March 1st 2019.
“As at the time he resumed office, the total debt on power was N328m. Presently, the IBEDC is claiming we are owing them N495m.
“It is not that we do not always pay at all. This management is trying all means to pay. We use IGR to run it.
“We collect N14m monthly as overhead. We use the N14m to pay for electricity, water, renovation and consumables.
“To be candid, we use the whole N14m to settle IBEDC. The strike is also affecting us. We have written letters for help to come.
“We don’t mind if we see people who can support us. The IGR is not enough to pay our bills.”
DAILY POST
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