Relatives of patients at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan staged a protest on Monday, expressing frustration over continuous power outages that have impacted medical services.
The outages began on October 26, when the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected the hospital due to unpaid bills, despite UCH’s recent classification as a Band A consumer.
Protesters argued that the power cuts were endangering patients, delaying critical tests, and halting essential treatments.
One protester, Adetunji Lawal, highlighted the need for dedicated power solutions for healthcare facilities, describing the issue as a matter of public health and safety.
Representing UCH’s healthcare unions, JOHESU Chairman Oladayo Olabampe appealed to the government for assistance.
Olabampe criticised IBEDC’s Band A classification for UCH, revealing that the hospital faces monthly charges between N70 and N80 million.
He suggested reclassifying UCH to Band B to alleviate financial strain and help sustain operations.
Despite temporary restoration of power following the protest, the hospital’s management continues to negotiate with IBEDC and government agencies, seeking a permanent resolution to avoid disruptions that threaten the well-being of both patients and healthcare workers.
