Staff of University College Hospital Ibadan, Oyo State, have lamented a blackout they are experiencing for over a week, adding that they cannot continue to work in darkness.
UCH’s workers disclosed this on Wednesday during a congress organised by the Joint Action Committee, the umbrella body of all the unions in the hospital.
The congress, which was held in the premises of the hospital, had in attendance members of Non-academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals; and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals Research Institutions and Associated Institutions.
JAC Chairman, Comrade Oludayo Olabampe, told newsmen shortly after the congress, that the power supply to the hospital had been cut off by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, since Tuesday, 19th March, 2024 due to a N495 million debt.
He urged the Federal Government, State Governor, Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to come to the aid of the hospital.
He explained that the workers will not be able to perform their duties as expected unless the power supply is restored.
“The congress is about briefing our members on the actions we have taken on their behalf to address their welfare while the power outage last since Tuesday last week.
“Since Tuesday last week, we have been experiencing total power outage simply because the IBEDC cut our light, they said UCH is owing N495m debt. And they said we must settle a substantial amount before the power can be restored.
“Since that happened, our members have been going through a lot of unbearable conditions to perform their duties. We cannot allow this to continue. So, we felt we must do something to address it. We must let Nigerians know what is happening to UCH. Look at this hospital that served the whole Nigeria. If this is happening to UCH that means it is happening to all Nigerians.
“We want to say that if you come to UCH now you may not get the best of care because of power outage. UCH has been in darkness and nothing is working. We are calling on well to do Nigerians to come to our rescue. People in government. They should help UCH.
“Our members are languishing, they are working like slaves, imagine a situation when you work in a hospital without light. We cannot continue to work in darkness. We don’t want to lose any member.
“Some of our members are exposed to high risks, we cannot pump water, we are using torchlights to work. So, we want to reduce the hazard. We cannot continue to work in darkness,” he said.
