Disaster looms as UCH thrown into darkness over IBEDC disconnection

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has been thrown into total darkness, leaving patients, caregivers, and medical personnel living dangerously.

It was reported that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected the hospital from the National Grid two weeks ago, a development that has sparked fears of a potential epidemic, especially as the Mortuary and the Operating Theatres have been left in complete darkness.

There are concerns about a possible outbreak of epidemics due to difficulties with the storage and handling of corpses in the facility.

It was gathered that the operation theatres have been rendered inactive, resulting in the cancellation of surgeries, even as emergency wards are struggling to provide adequate care.

Patients and hospital staff, who are largely bearing the brunt of the power outage, were seen using flashlights to aid their movements in the wards.

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The hospital management, in a memo released on the 5th of November, acknowledged the “chaotic and unbearable experience,” pleading with members of staff, students, and patients to kindly exercise patience.

It was, however, understood that the management’s reaction came 14 days after the disturbing experience, and as of 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the management was still unable to provide alternative power supply to critical areas of the hospital as promised.

According to the memo, management has initiated the process to ensure that power is restored to the hospital as soon as possible.

“Nonetheless, provision of alternative power supply to some critical areas in the hospital, with priority given to the service areas which are in high demand, has been put in place through generators and solar panels/inverters, as well as pumping of water to all areas of the hospital,” the memo added.

Reacting to the allegation, the spokesperson of IBEDC, Busolami Tunwase, said: “I cannot confirm this, but remember that when we had the back-and-forth earlier in the year, there was an agreement reached. If they breached the agreement, there would be consequences.”