Workers at the University College Hospital, UCH, in Ibadan, under the platform of Council of UCH Union Leaders have declared a 5-day warning strike over persistent power outage in the hospital.
The workers disclosed their decision in a statement signed by Co-Chairman of CUUL and Chairman of JAC UCH, Oladayo Olabampe and Co-Chairman of CUUL and Chairman, ARD-UCH, Dr Uthman Adedeji.
The duo revealed that the strike commenced on Monday, lamenting that the tertiary hospital has been without electricity for 102 days.
In the statement release Tue4sday, the health workers marinated that the hospital was plunged into darkness due to disconnection by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, noting that although power has been restored to UCH by IBEDC, electricity supplied to service delivery areas and the residential quarters is being internally rationed and restricted by management.
They lamented that this deliberate withholding of power has crippled efficient service delivery in the hospital, is endangering the lives of patients and exposing staff to hazards.
The workers said the warning strike become imperative due to the problems facing the hospital, maintaining it is not for personal gains but about safety of the members of the public.
The workers also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently intervene and prevent further deterioration.
“For 102 days between November 3rd, 2024 and February 12th, 2025, the University College Hospital (UCH) was plunged into total darkness due to disconnection by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBEDC. Following nationwide concern and intervention by the Minister of Power, electricity supply was restored through resolution with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
“Today, we regret to inform Nigerians that although power has been restored to UCH by IBEDC, electricity supplied to service delivery areas and the residential quarters is being internally rationed and restricted by Management. This deliberate withholding of power has crippled efficient service delivery, endangered patients, exposed staff to hazards, and undermined the integrity of one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary hospitals.
“Patients who should receive care are being turned away. Procedures are referred elsewhere. Lives hang in the balance. A teaching hospital in 2026 is being forced to operate like a facility from a bygone era. A huge chunk of cases and procedures presented to UCH are now rejected or referred due to inadequate internal power distribution.
The hospital is losing millions of naira daily in internally generated revenue. Ironically, a cost-cutting measure has become a revenue-destroying policy. If this continues, the financial survival of UCH is at serious risk.
“This five-day warning strike has become inevitable. It is not about personal gain. It is about patient safety, institutional survival, and professional dignity. This call for help is devoid of any political coloring or affiliations.
“We call on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently intervene and prevent further deterioration. We appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to stand with us. A nation cannot strengthen its healthcare system while its premier institutions operate in darkness”.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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