Amid the ongoing electricity challenge bedeviling many institutions including the University College Hospital, UCH, in Ibadan, the institutions has reassured patients and the general public of its commitment to delivering uninterrupted healthcare services, despite ongoing challenges with power supply.
In an announcement made on Wednesday, the hospital management affirmed that measures are in place to ensure consistent care, with alternative energy sources stepping in to bridge power gaps.
UCH Public Relations Officer, Funmi Adetuyibi in a statement acknowledged the discomfort accrued to the power outage in the hospital, noting that the management identify with patients and their relations in the facility at this period.
The statement reads: “The situation arose from the disconnection of power by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, on 26th October, 2024. However, the Hospital Management has held several meetings with the management of the company on payment modules.
“The Hospital bills from IBEDC inclusive of accumulated bill since 2019 to date is Three Billion, One Hundred and Four Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fourteen Naira, Sixty-One Kobo (N3,104,568,114.61).
“To date the hospital has paid Two Billion, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Four Naira, Twenty-Seven Kobo (N2,916,567,724.27) and left with an outstanding bill of Three Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, Seventy-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-One Naira, Five Kobo (N392,075,161.05).
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“This power disconnection has resulted in our inability to effectively meet our hospital’s mandate (Clinical Service, Research and Training) to our esteemed patients.”
However, she assured patients and their families that the hospital has adopted solutions to keep critical operations running smoothly.
“Backup generators to power critical areas, including: Emergency department, operating theatres, Intensive Care Unit, and Laboratories, among others.
“Solar/inverter panel has been made available in the following areas of the hospital: Emergency Department, Main Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit, East 3 Ward, South East 3, Owena Dialysis Ward, High Dependency Unit, South West 2, all the clinics: General Out-patient Clinic to Medical Out-patient Clinic, Kidney dialysis, Endoscopy, Echocardiography/Electrocardiography Suites.
“Provision of Mini solar bulbs have been made available to illuminate critical areas e.g. Otunba Tuwase Paediatrics Ward in the first instance.
“Contingency Planning: We have developed emergency response plans to ensure seamless continuity of patient care during outages,” the statement noted.
It further added that while efforts are at an advanced stage on alternative energy provision, critical areas such as emergency services, creation of situation room to provide real time solutions, and adequate water supply remain operational.
The statement asserts that the management continues to engage all heads of departments of both clinical and non-clinical and all stakeholders to communicate to the patients and their relations on the situation of power and the steps Management is taking for alternative sources of power.
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