Resident doctors at University College Hospital, Ibadan have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike, citing prolonged power outages and inconsistent electricity supply that have disrupted hospital operations and endangered patient care.
The doctors, organized under the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and supported by the Council of UCH Union Leaders (CUUL), warned that the situation has reached a critical point, and if not addressed immediately, they may suspend work without a fixed end date.
Union leaders highlighted that the ongoing power crisis has severely affected essential medical services, including the cancellation of routine surgeries, delays in laboratory tests, interruptions in life‑saving diagnostic procedures, and compromised cold chains for medications and vaccines. In some cases, healthcare workers have reportedly relied on mobile phone lights to attend to patients in wards and theatres.
The situation has escalated public concern over the state of infrastructure in one of Nigeria’s oldest and most important tertiary hospitals. Previous warning strikes and limited work stoppages have already been carried out by several unions at UCH to press for urgent solutions.
Hospital management and relevant government authorities have been called upon to act swiftly to restore consistent electricity supply and prevent a full-scale industrial action that could disrupt healthcare delivery across the facility.
The threatened strike underscores the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, where aging infrastructure and inadequate resources continue to impact patient care and staff welfare.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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