AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The management of University College Hospital, UCH, has accused Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, of forcing the hospital into Band A, stating that despite paying N60 million in the past month, the power company two weeks ago disconnected the health facility.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo said despite efforts to meet its obligations, the power company has remained adamant in charging the highest rates and is unfazed by the humanitarian services rendered by the nation’s premier tertiary hospital.

It would be recalled that IBEDC had several times disconnected the hospital this year citing unpaid accumulated debts.

‘’We have been making efforts to pay. IBEDC forced us on Band A. Our latest bill for one month is N99 million. We paid N60 million but they refused to reconnect us’’, said the CMD.

An analysis of payment scheduled offered by the UCH indicates that the power company sent a bill of N723, 095, 841.55 from January 1, 2019 to November 10, 2024 while the hospital has paid N676, 990,174.04. “The distribution company has, against all entreaties, categorised this hospital a business concern”, the CMD lamented.

The hospital management, in a memo circulated on November 5, acknowledged the “chaotic and unbearable experience” arising from the disconnection by IBEDC and pleaded with staff, students and patients to exercise patience while alternative power sources are being strengthened.

“Management has initiated the process to ensure that power is restored to the hospital as soon as possible. Nonetheless, provision of alternative power supply to some critical areas in the hospital, with priority to the service areas which are in high demand, has been put in place through generators and solar panels/inverters, as well as pumping of water to all areas of the hospital,” the memo explained.

Last Monday, families of patients at the health facility protested the persistent power outages bedevilling the hospital. They decried recent epileptic electricity and water supply, claiming that lives of patients may be at risk.

It was reported that members of the hospital’s Public Relations Office tried to pacify the protesters who expressed anger and helplessness, citing harrowing instances where treatment and care have been disrupted due to erratic power supply.
One of the protesters said: “We are tired seeing our loved ones suffering; patients are dying because they cannot receive the medical tests needed for treatment. The outages have not only hindered immediate medical assessments but have also severely complicated ongoing treatments, leaving families in a state of despair.”

But the hospital has dismissed the claims that patients’ lives were at risk during the period of power outage and that the claims do not reflect the current operational status of the hospital.

In an official statement, UCH firmly dismissed the reports as “false and misleading,” assuring the public that the hospital’s utilities remain functional and adequate for patients care.

While acknowledging the severity of incessant power cuts by IBEDC, the public relations department affirmed that despite the power cuts, the hospital made provision for alternative power supply in its critical departments namely operating theatres, intensive care units, and the accident and emergency department.

The lamentation at UCH is experienced by many government hospitals and educational institutions.

The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, was disconnected from public power supply eight weeks ago.

The institution detected an over billing in its record, receiving a monthly bill of N10m from Benin Disco when it consumed power worth about N7m. “We confronted them with metered data of all premises.

They did not like that. They wanted to transfer us to Band A, and forthwith presented us with N25m bill the following month.

“We approached the Courts and got an injunction against arbitrary transfer. Now they went berserk. Our light suddenly developed fault: transformer was not working. When we approached them to fix their transformer, they replied we had taken them to Court.

After the intervention of the state government, they called for a truce! Take case out of court, revert to BAND B. We are in a state of all motions, but no movement,” said a top management staff at the institution.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) congratulates the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the successful launch of its Mpox vaccination campaign in two high-priority provinces.

This marks a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to control the Mpox outbreak and safeguard vulnerable populations across the country.

In collaboration with the DRC’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, Africa CDC, along with its global partners, including European Union / HERA, United States Government, World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Food Programme (WFP) is supporting the vaccination of key at-risk groups in Equateur and North Kivu provinces. The campaign will soon expand to additional provinces to ensure more comprehensive coverage.

The arrival of 265,000 doses of the MVA-BN Mpox vaccines, generously donated by the European Union and facilitated by Africa CDC in collaboration with Bavarian Nordic, the Government of the United States, and Gavi, is a significant step toward improving the country’s capacity to manage the outbreak. Africa CDC applauds this collaboration, which underscores the collective global commitment to tackling Mpox in Africa.

“Africa CDC commends the DRC’s swift action in launching the vaccination campaign, which showcases the strength of its public health leadership. By prioritizing vulnerable populations, including frontline health workers and those most at risk, the country is taking critical steps to contain the outbreak. Africa CDC remains committed to working closely with the DRC to ensure vaccines reach those who need them the most, while also working to strengthen health systems to prevent future outbreaks. Our top priority is to secure safe and effective vaccines for children in the next phase of vaccination,” said Africa CDC Director General, H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya.

Mpox continues to pose a serious threat, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, individuals with compromised immune systems, and those living in areas with limited healthcare access. The Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) has been actively engaged in supporting the DRC’s response efforts by providing technical expertise, coordinating vaccine deployment, and offering logistical assistance to ensure effective distribution across affected regions.

Africa CDC also recognizes the crucial role of infection prevention and control measures, community engagement, and public awareness campaigns in curbing the spread of Mpox. These efforts, alongside vaccination, are essential in protecting populations and minimizing the impact of the outbreak.

As part of its commitment to the fight against Mpox, Africa CDC will continue to support DRC and all 16 other affected countries’ response through technical assistance, capacity-building, and coordination with international partners. The vaccination campaign serves as a critical tool in safeguarding public health, and Africa CDC looks forward to further collaborative efforts to protect communities and strengthen Africa’s resilience against future public health threats.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Africa CDC congratulates the Government of Japan and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the agreement to donate Lc16 Mpox vaccines, along with specialized inoculation needles.

A signing ceremony in Kinshasa formalized the exchange of notes for this crucial grant, marking a significant milestone in the cooperation between the two governments.

This donation comes at a pivotal time as the DRC continues to battle a regional Mpox outbreak, with cases rising significantly since November 2023. Japan’s contribution is a crucial boost as the Mpox vaccine is the only shot currently approved for children.

Mpox has been endemic in several African countries for decades. On 13 August 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). This declaration prompted a more coordinated international response. Vaccination is one part of a comprehensive response, including surveillance, case detection, clinical care, infection prevention and control, and risk communication and community engagement. The challenges in responding can quickly be exacerbated if Africa has limited access to critical countermeasures such as vaccines and diagnostics.

The outbreak has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, with children accounting for 60% of cases and people living with HIV/AIDS experiencing the most severe outcomes. Given these challenges, Africa CDC has called for a united and coordinated response to address the crisis.

H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support, stating:
“I am deeply appreciative of Japan’s generous donation of Lc16 Mpox vaccines and specialized vaccination needles to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This timely assistance will significantly bolster our ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak, and I am confident that this partnership will help mitigate the public health threat posed by Mpox, not only in the DRC but across the continent.”

The Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takeshi Akahori, added:
“We are aware that the number of infection cases continues to rise in the DRC and other countries, and we are monitoring the situation closely in coordination with the WHO. I hope that these vaccines and needles will contribute meaningfully to the fight against Mpox.”

Japan remains committed to supporting the DRC in its fight against this public health threat, working closely with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other global health partners.