The management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan has dismissed reports that relatives of its patients bring generating sets to the hospital to power the wards.
UCH, Nigeria’s oldest teaching hospital has struggled with access to power following its almost N500m indebtedness to the power supply utility, Ibadan Electric.
However, Mrs. ‘Funmi Adetuyibi, Public Relations Officer, who issued a statement on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, said the situation has not resulted into patients and their relatives brining their own power generators to the institution as reported by an online platform.
The statement reads:
“The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has taken notice of an online report published on Wednesday, 5th February, 2025 by Trending Explain @Trending X written by Gideon Ayeni.
“The writer claimed, among other fabricated lies, that patients bring generators to the hospital to provide power to the wards. The hospital management wishes to inform the general public that these allegations are false and unfounded. There is no credibility in that report. The malice and misrepresentation are depicted in the several low capacity generators displayed by the writer. The UCH does not operate these mini generators.
“Management wishes to reassure the general public that this is a deliberate and malicious misrepresentation of the facts.
“Despite the disconnection by IBEDC, the hospital has made concerted efforts to ensure that we deliver on our core mandates of Clinical Services, Research and Training.
“The UCH management is working round the clock to provide alternative and sustainable electricity power to the hospital. Indeed, we have since embarked on a phased approach, including the provision of alternative energy (solar inverters and diesel-powered generators) in critical units such as the wards, accident and emergency, labour ward and theatres.
We have continued to engage well-wishers and stakeholders (Locally, Nationally and Internationally) including our supervising ministry and IBEDC in a bid to find long lasting and sustainable solution to the power challenge. Indeed, many have supported our efforts by their generous donations to the implementation of these efforts.
“We want to use this medium to inform the general public that the said story is untrue, unfounded and malicious.
“On behalf of Management, Staff and Student of the University College Hospital, Ibadan we appreciate the patience and understanding of our patients , patient relations and the general public during this trying period.”
Last month, students of the Institution staged a protest on the power deficit issue.
“The blackout has lingered for over 82 days now and for over two months, there has been no light at the University College Hospital which has affected the livelihood of our students,” the student leader, Bolaji Aweda, said.
“The lack of electricity is why we are out on the street today. We have reached out to the school management severally. It is a kind of powerplay between the University College management and the University of Ibadan management.”
