In a dramatic protest, patients and their families gathered outside the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan to demand a solution to the ongoing power outage that has left the facility without electricity for 17 days. The protest highlights the significant challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system and raises concerns about patient care and safety under such conditions.
The Power Outage: A Critical Issue in Patient Care
For over two weeks, UCH, one of Nigeria’s top federal healthcare institutions, has been experiencing an electricity blackout. Patients and their families report that this has severely affected hospital operations, including essential services like lighting, diagnostic equipment, and cooling systems. Many patients requiring intensive care and regular treatments, such as dialysis or oxygen therapy, are at heightened risk due to this prolonged outage.
Impact on Patients and Staff
The lack of electricity has disrupted critical medical services, leaving patients and medical staff struggling to maintain essential functions. Families of patients expressed frustration and concern, stating that the lack of power affects medication storage, life-support machines, and overall patient comfort. Some staff members have reportedly been using personal resources to support patients, which has placed additional strain on both staff and family members.
Family Members Demand Urgent Action
The protest at UCH saw family members and community members calling for immediate intervention by the government and hospital administration. They argued that power is essential for patient care, and a 17-day outage in a healthcare facility poses unacceptable risks. Placards and chants conveyed their anger and urgency, with many insisting on accountability from hospital management and improved infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
Hospital Management’s Response
In response to the outcry, UCH management stated that they are actively working with relevant authorities to address the power issue. According to statements, they have been engaging with utility providers and the government to find an immediate resolution. However, no clear timeline has been provided, which has further fueled public frustration and concern.
Broader Concerns in Nigerian Healthcare
The protest sheds light on the larger challenges within the Nigerian healthcare system, where power outages, limited resources, and infrastructural deficiencies often compromise patient care. The incident at UCH, Ibadan, emphasizes the need for sustainable infrastructure investments and reliable power systems within hospitals to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.
Calls for Government Intervention
Healthcare advocates and citizens have called for swift government action to resolve the issue at UCH and prevent similar situations in other healthcare facilities. Many argue that reliable electricity should be a priority, particularly in medical institutions, where it can make a life-or-death difference.
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Written By Fortune Davidson