Tinubu declares war on power outages in hospitals
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that his administration will take a firm stance against persistent power outages affecting hospitals across Nigeria.
Speaking at the first National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the critical need for reliable electricity in healthcare settings.
“Today, we face a pressing issue that affects every Nigerian: the persistent power supply crisis in our tertiary hospitals and public health institutions,” he remarked. He outlined the severe impacts of power outages, particularly in surgical theatres and emergency rooms, stating, “These outages cannot continue, and under our administration, they should not. Lives are at stake. We must act now.”
Represented by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tinubu reassured stakeholders of his administration’s commitment to transforming the healthcare sector by leveraging innovative energy solutions. He discussed strategies to decentralize energy supply and enhance private sector involvement as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, reinforced Tinubu’s sentiments, highlighting the inefficiencies in the current power system for healthcare.
He stated, “Our health system is not only underpowered; it is inefficiently powered.” He warned of the detrimental effects of unreliable electricity supply, which he described as a major disruptor of health services.
Salako revealed alarming statistics, noting that 40 percent of primary healthcare facilities lack access to electricity entirely, while most of the remaining facilities receive insufficient power.
“Energy supply has become a major disrupter of health services in our country. It has become an emergency that we must address,” he cautioned.
The administration is poised to mobilize international investments and encourage public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable energy solutions for health institutions, aiming for uninterrupted power that is crucial for patient care and safety.
Source: Daily Trust
