UCH is powered by 75 generators daily” – UCH CMD, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo.
The University College Hospital, Ibadan is daily powered by a total of 75 generators to carry out its wide range of medical, diagnostic and research services.
The Chief Medical Director, UCH, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, made this disclosure last week during an event to mark his first anniversary in office.
The CMD, who said power supply was the greatest challenge confronting the medical institution, said the efficiency of the hospital in the area of medical research, training and treatment were challenged by the erratic nature of supply.
Otegbayo said, “I would say that the three major challenges we are facing at UCH currently are power, power and light.
“It may interest you to note that we have almost 75 generators in different locations within the hospital premises.
“On average, we generate N200m monthly and more than half of this amount goes into fueling and servicing power plants and this should be surprising to any discerning mind. You will be shocked to hear how much we spend on diesel, buying and repairing generators and meeting other needs. I want to say this amount is still not enough. Fortunately, we have people of goodwill who make donations to supplement what we are generating.
“The topmost challenge, for us, is power. This is a hospital environment; you cannot over-emphasise the need for constant power supply. Imagine if a patient is being operated and the power goes off. A lot of things can go wrong. If you ask me, power is number one. Then, number two is power and number three is light. Number four will now be water.
“Our intention is to provide equipment for the diagnosis of diseases that are endemic in Nigeria and to bring back our cardiac programme which has been in lieu for quite a while. We also intend to ensure that the kidney transplant that was done last week becomes sustainable but these lofty plans depend on stable electricity.”
For Dr Toyin Okeowo, who spoke on behalf of the board of trustees of the hospital, recalled that 20 years ago, UCH was the fourth best hospital in the Commonwealth.
The University College Hospital, (UCH) Ibadan was established by an August 1952 Act of Parliament in response to the need for the training of medical personnel and other healthcare professionals for the country and the West African Sub-Region.
Since its inception, the Hospital has trained over 6,000 Doctors, 501 Dentists, 4,513 Nurses, 2307 Midwives, 471 Peri-Operative nurses, 1062 Laboratory Scientist, 576 Environmental Health officers Tutors, 451 nurse/midwives/Public health educators, 326 Primary Health Care Tutors, 590 Community Health Officers, 640 Physiotherapists, 551 Health information Management Personnel (formally referred to as Medical Records Officers).
Sources:
Partly culled from Punch
