High Electricity Costs In Nigerian Hospitals.

Key Highlights:

Monthly electricity bills soar, reaching millions.
National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos: From N18M to N45M monthly.
Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta: N20M for only four hours of power daily.

Teaching Hospitals in Crisis Due to Escalating Electricity Costs

Rising electricity costs are placing immense strain on Nigeria’s teaching hospitals, threatening healthcare delivery and medical training. These institutions, vital for patient care and medical education, are facing operational challenges due to skyrocketing power bills and unreliable electricity supply.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) categorized hospitals under Band A, promising 20 hours of electricity daily but imposing significantly higher tariffs. Unfortunately, many hospitals do not receive the promised power supply despite paying exorbitant fees.

Hospitals Struggle to Stay Operational

Findings indicate that most teaching hospitals struggle to manage operational expenses as energy costs quadruple. For instance, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, faced power disconnection due to a staggering N3.1 billion outstanding bill, with monthly charges between N50M and N60M. Similarly, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) incurs monthly electricity bills between N44M and N49M, significantly affecting its research activities.

General hospitals are also cutting back on energy consumption, limiting power usage to critical units while running other sections on costly diesel generators. Some hospitals spend over N90M monthly on diesel alone, exacerbating financial woes.

Soaring Monthly Electricity Bills Across Teaching Hospitals

National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos: From N18M to N45M.
Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta: N20M for four hours of power daily.
Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH): N69M to N252M monthly.
University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH): N35M monthly.

Unfulfilled Government Promises on Subsidy

Despite the Federal Government’s 2024 pledge to subsidize 50% of electricity costs for hospitals, the relief has yet to materialize. Medical Directors stress that without urgent intervention, hospitals will struggle to sustain services.

Hospital Leaders Call for Renewable Energy Solutions

Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) are advocating for long-term solutions such as solar power and other renewable energy sources. At the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, over N1 billion is spent annually on energy, pushing administrators to explore solar alternatives. However, solar power is insufficient for high-energy medical equipment, necessitating additional government investment.

CMDs Speak on the Urgent Need for Action

Dr. Mustapha Alimi, NOHIL: “We spend N54M monthly on electricity, yet government allocation for power is less than N70M yearly. This financial gap is unsustainable.”
Prof. Fabanwo Adetokunbo, LASUTH: “Our electricity bill has quadrupled. We must ration power to sustain critical areas.”
Dr. Dada Adedamola, FMC Ebute Metta: “We pay N20M monthly but receive only four to five hours of power daily. Reliable electricity is a must.”

Call for Immediate Government Action

Healthcare leaders stress the importance of electricity in patient care, urging the government to prioritize sustainable energy solutions. Without intervention, the rising cost of power will continue crippling Nigeria’s healthcare institutions, ultimately affecting patient outcomes and medical training.

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