Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State, have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike unless a lasting solution is found to the prolonged blackout affecting the hospital. The development has raised concerns among patients, healthcare workers and students over the impact of unreliable electricity on medical services at one of Nigeria’s leading teaching hospitals.
Resident doctors at UCH, who are members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), said the persistent power outages have seriously undermined patient care, delayed critical medical procedures, and disrupted the training of doctors-in-training. They warned that if the situation does not improve within 21 days from March 7, 2026, they will commence an indefinite strike. A five-day warning strike had already taken place from March 2 to March 6, but the blackout remained unresolved when they returned to work.
The President of the ARD at UCH, Dr Uthman Adedeji, said that most clinical areas in the hospital are heavily dependent on erratic power supply, forcing staff to rely on backup generators that are expensive to run and prone to breakdowns. He described the situation as unacceptable for a modern teaching hospital, noting that it has made it increasingly difficult to deliver quality healthcare.
The blackout has reportedly caused cancelled surgeries, delays in laboratory testing, and difficulties in maintaining cold storage for vital medications and vaccines. Emergency care and diagnostic services have also been affected due to inconsistent power distribution across departments.
Patients and their families have expressed frustration and concern over the interruptions in medical care. Some wards have experienced halted treatments when power fluctuates, and in certain cases, staff have had to use mobile phone flashlights to perform essential tasks. The unions describe the situation as both degrading and dangerous.
Reports suggest that part of the blackout is linked to unpaid electricity bills and ongoing internal rationing of power within the hospital. The hospital’s disconnection from the grid at various points has highlighted broader challenges faced by public health facilities in Nigeria, including limited funding, outdated equipment, and inadequate infrastructure.
Unions representing UCH staff, including nurses and allied health professionals, have joined calls for urgent action. They argue that without reliable electricity, the quality of health services will continue to decline, putting patient safety at risk and eroding confidence in the public health system.
Government officials have previously intervened during power outages at UCH, instructing electricity distribution companies to restore supply quickly. Social and student groups have also protested blackouts at the hospital in the past, highlighting the impact on teaching and clinical activities.
The ARD and other unions have stressed that their ultimatum is intended to compel stakeholders — including hospital management, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the local electricity distribution company — to collaborate in resolving the crisis. They warned that without reliable electricity, continued high-quality healthcare delivery at UCH is at risk.
If the talks fail and the power situation remains unresolved within the specified timeframe, the threatened indefinite strike could severely disrupt services at UCH, further affecting patients who rely on the facility for specialised care.
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