The management of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has expressed frustration over the persistent power shortages affecting the hospital, accusing the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) of unfair billing practices and disconnection.
Despite paying N60 million in the past month, UCH was disconnected by the power company two weeks ago, even though the hospital has consistently made efforts to meet its financial obligations.
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Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, said the hospital was being forced into the highest billing category, Band A, which has resulted in an exorbitant monthly bill. “We have been making efforts to pay. IBEDC forced us on Band A. Our latest bill for one month is N99 million. We paid N60 million but they refused to reconnect us,” Prof. Otegbayo stated.
A breakdown of UCH’s payment history reveals that between January 1, 2019, and November 10, 2024, the hospital was billed a staggering N723,095,841.55, while it has paid N676,990,174.04. Despite these payments, IBEDC continues to categorize the hospital as a business, a decision that the hospital’s management has criticized.
In a memo issued on November 5, the hospital acknowledged the “chaotic and unbearable experience” caused by the disconnection. The memo assured staff, students, and patients that efforts were underway to restore power, with temporary solutions, including generators and solar panels, being implemented in critical areas of the hospital.
“Management has initiated the process to ensure that power is restored to the hospital as soon as possible,” the memo read.
The disconnection has led to protests by families of patients, who are concerned about the impact of erratic power and water supply on their loved ones’ care. One protestor expressed frustration: “We are tired seeing our loved ones suffering; patients are dying because they cannot receive the medical tests needed for treatment.”
However, UCH’s management dismissed these claims, assuring the public that the hospital’s utilities remain functional and that alternative power supply is in place for critical departments such as operating theatres and the emergency unit.
This power shortage issue is not unique to UCH. Similar challenges have been reported at other government institutions, including the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo, which was also disconnected due to billing disputes.
A top management staff at the institution revealed that despite confronting the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (Benin Disco) over overbilling, the situation only worsened after the institution took the matter to court.
As the situation at UCH continues to unfold, the public remains concerned about the growing strain on healthcare services due to the unreliable power supply and the lack of transparency surrounding the billing practices of power distribution companies.
