Staff at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State, have voiced their inability to continue working in darkness.
This sentiment was expressed on Wednesday during a congress convened by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), the overarching body representing all unions within the hospital.
Held on the hospital premises, the congress saw participation from members of various unions, including the Non-academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), and the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals Research Institutions and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAN).
Following the congress, JAC Chairman, Comrade Oludayo Olabampe, conveyed to DAILY POST that the hospital has been without power supply since Tuesday, March 19, 2024, as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected the electricity due to an outstanding debt of N495 million.
Olabampe appealed to the Federal Government, Governor Seyi Makinde, and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and assist the hospital. He emphasized that without the restoration of the power supply, the staff would be unable to fulfil their duties effectively.
“The congress is about briefing our members on the actions we have taken on their behalf to address their welfare while the power outage lasted 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 of 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 a 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 members.
“Some of our members are exposed to high risks, we cannot pump water, and we are using torchlights to work. So, we want to reduce the hazard. We cannot continue to work in darkness,” he said.
