…As UCH assures patients, staff on measures
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has assured the management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan of its readiness to working together and discussing in a bid to arrive at a flexible payment arrangement that could be mutually agreed upon by both parties.
The company gave the assurance n a statement by the Lead, Media Relations, Busolami Tunwase while giving an update regarding the ongoing power supply challenge with the UCH.
On the other side of the coin, the management of the hospital has also also expeessed deep concerns for the inconveniences being experienced during this power outage, assuring that, though, there may be delay in service delivery, concerted effort is made to speedily resolve the problem.
The Nation reports that recent power outage which plunged the hospital into darkness has been generating widespread concern among patients, relatives and hospital staff.
The blackout was as a result of disconnection of the hospital power by the Distribution Company as a result of unpaid accumulated bill by the hospital.
Speaking, Tunwase while expressing sympathy of IBEDC for the hospital’s situation confirmed that the disconnection was due to UCH’s significant outstanding debt.
She said the IBEDC was compelled to take the course of action as it was faced with increasing pressure to meet her financial obligations to the market.
Noting that the company is expected to meet 100 percebt of its market obligations, she lamented that outstanding debt from major customers like UCH directly contributes to the liquidity crisis within Nigeria’s power sector.
The statement reads in part “The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has issued an update regarding the ongoing power supply challenge with University College Hospita,Ibadanl (UCH).
“The company expressed sympathy for the hospital’s situation but confirmed that the disconnection was due to UCH’s significant outstanding debt. IBEDC was compelled to take this course of action as we are faced with increasing pressure to meet our financial obligations to the market.
“However, IBEDC reiterated its commitment to working with UCH and remains open to discussions on a flexible payment arrangement that could be mutually agreed upon by both parties. It explained that the company is expected to meet 100% of its market obligations, and the outstanding debt from major customers like UCH directly contributes to the liquidity crisis within Nigeria’s power sector.
“IBEDC continues to advocate for timely payments from all customers, stressing that a stable and reliable power supply is dependent on the financial health of the sector. The company called on UCH and all other customers to settle their arrears to help resolve the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity distribution system.”
On her own part, the Public Relations Officer of UCH, Funmi Adetuyibi in a statement said the hospital management has held several meetings with the management of IBEDC on payment modules, noting that the hospital bills from IBEDC inclusive of accumulated bill since 2019 to date is put at about N3.1billion.
She lamented that the power disconnection has resulted in the hospitals inability to effectively meet her mandate (clinical service, research and training) to her esteemed patients.
She however stated the measures taken by the facility to mitigate the challenges saying: “In a bid to mitigate the effects of this hardship, the anagement has taken some steps which includes the following:
“Dissemination of Information to patients, alternative power sources through the use 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.”
