The lingering power crisis at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has left Nigeria’s premier teaching hospital in a state of near-collapse, forcing patients to abandon the facility in search of alternative medical care.
For 107 consecutive days, UCH has remained in darkness, relying solely on diesel-powered generators, inverters, and solar-powered fans to sustain operations.
The hospital’s main power supply was disconnected by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on October 26, 2024, due to an outstanding electricity debt of ₦495 million.
Once a bustling center of medical excellence, UCH now operates in near-desperation. Critical departments—including operating theaters, laboratories, and radiology units—function under severe power rationing, while other sections of the hospital remain shrouded in darkness.
Patients and their relatives have resorted to private and state-owned medical facilities despite the additional financial burden.
A Hospital in Crisis
During a visit to the facility we observed a near-deserted hospital, a stark contrast to the usual heavy influx of patients. Many wards were eerily quiet with only a handful of individuals enduring the grim conditions.
“UCH has become the ghost of its former self,” said Rebecca Odeyemi, whose father required urgent medical attention but was taken elsewhere due to the power situation. “Nobody wants to come here anymore because the hospital can barely function.”
For those who have no choice but to remain at UCH, seeking treatment has become a frustrating ordeal. A patient who wished to remain anonymous described the distressing reality of undergoing medical tests at the hospital.
“To get some tests done now, they switch on the generator for 30 minutes and then turn it off,” she said. “Sometimes, they ask us to go outside the hospital to private labs for simple tests. We were even sent to Mokola for a urine test, which is unheard of for a hospital of this caliber.”
Medical personnel are also feeling the heat. A doctor at the hospital confirmed that some staff members are contributing money to buy fuel for the generators just to keep essential services running.
“We have been rationing power supply for weeks,” he said. “Departments take turns using generators, and even then, it’s only for a limited time.”
A medical technician, Mustapha, disclosed that while the hospital prioritizes critical sections such as the operating theaters and radiology department, most wards and laboratories rely solely on inverters and solar power—often inadequate for full-scale medical procedures.
Management Denies Reports, But Reality Bites
Amid growing concerns, the hospital’s management has denied reports that patients are bringing their own generators, inverters, and rechargeable lamps.
UCH’s Public Relations Officer, Funmi Adetuyibi, described the reports as “malicious misrepresentation”, insisting that the hospital has taken significant steps to mitigate the crisis.
“We remain committed to our core services—clinical care, research, and training,” she said. “The management has implemented a phased approach to providing sustainable electricity solutions, including the installation of solar inverters and diesel-powered generators in critical areas.”
However, these measures appear insufficient to restore normalcy, as the power crisis continues to take its toll on healthcare delivery.
Government Inaction and Growing Frustration Health sector stakeholders have expressed deep frustration over the government’s silence on the issue. The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at UCH had earlier warned about the hospital’s financial struggles, revealing that it spends approximately ₦80 million monthly on electricity bills.
With no clear resolution in sight, patients continue to flee UCH in droves, leaving what was once Nigeria’s leading public healthcare facility in a state of disarray.
As the crisis enters its fourth month, the question remains: How long can UCH survive without stable electricity?
