Power Crisis Cripples Healthcare: Patients Suffer as Hospitals Grapple with Electricity Shortages
Inadequate power supply leads to delayed treatments, fatalities across Nigerian hospitals
Daily Trust investigations reveal that Nigeria’s ongoing electricity crisis is severely impacting healthcare delivery, with patients facing life-threatening delays in treatment and surgeries due to persistent power outages in hospitals nationwide.
Tragedy in Minna: Power failure claims life during surgery
In a heartbreaking incident at Jummai Babangida Maternal and Neonatal General Hospital in Minna, Niger State, Ummi Yusuf Makusidi lost her life during a fibroid surgery when power failed and the backup generator malfunctioned. Her husband, Umar B. Shehu, recounted how medical staff resorted to using torchlights to continue the procedure.
Patients endure agonizing waits
Multiple cases highlight the crisis:
- A daughter waited 15 hours for a caesarean section
- A baby died in the womb after power failure delayed surgery
- Patients at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital use rechargeable fans
- Diagnostic tests postponed due to lack of electricity
Hospital finances stretched to breaking point
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) reports:
- Monthly electricity bills between N80-100 million
- Accumulated debt of N700 million
- Service charges increased by 100% to cover costs
- Plans to install solar panels for critical areas
Government response and expert recommendations
The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to address healthcare electrification, while experts advocate for renewable energy solutions:
- Solar systems offer reliable alternative power
- Renewable energy could ensure 24/7 operations
- Public-private partnerships needed for sustainable solutions
Power distribution companies respond
Electricity providers maintain they supply power according to tariff bands, with no special arrangements for healthcare facilities. Hospitals continue to struggle with the high costs of maintaining alternative power sources.
For more details, read the original article on Daily Trust.