The Federal Government has announced plans to tackle the escalating energy costs and power shortages crippling healthcare delivery in tertiary hospitals across Nigeria. This initiative was unveiled by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Dr. Salako emphasized the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, highlighting how unreliable power supply and rising electricity expenses have severely impacted hospital operations. “Hospitals across the country are grappling with massive energy deficits and escalating costs. The time for uncoordinated, haphazard energy solutions is over,” he stated.
While interventions such as a 50% electricity subsidy and solar mini-grids have been introduced, these measures have not sufficiently resolved the issues. To address this, the government plans to host a National Stakeholders’ Dialogue aimed at rethinking traditional power generation models and exploring innovative solutions like renewable energy.
Key Objectives of the Dialogue
The dialogue will:
Assess current power policies and challenges in public hospitals.
Explore alternative energy sources such as solar and energy-efficient technologies.
Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to attract investments in sustainable power solutions.
Develop a comprehensive policy framework for long-term energy sustainability in healthcare facilities.
Dr. Salako also inaugurated an Implementation Committee tasked with organizing the dialogue and driving its outcomes. He called for collaboration across sectors, stressing that resolving these challenges requires a “whole-of-government approach.”
Many tertiary hospitals are struggling with soaring energy costs, spending millions monthly on diesel due to unreliable electricity supply. This has led to surgery delays, disrupted clinic schedules, and increased patient fees to offset operational costs.
The upcoming dialogue seeks to bring stakeholders from health and power sectors together to create actionable solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and improve patient care.
