Public hospitals in Delta suffer blackout at night

Most public hospitals in ‘Delta State operate at night without electricity.

According to investigation by the Nigerian Tribune, of  the  66 public  secondary health facilities in the state, less than 20 per cent of them, some of them in urban centres, could boost of power at night.

Worse hit by the blackout are hospitals in riverine areas  and communities in the core creek.

The investigation revealed that although the state government provided fund for diesel or petrol for generators, such monies were not properly managed by managers of the affected hospitals.

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Health workers, especially doctors and nurses on night duties, who face challenges as a result of  blackout  have decided to take their destinies in their hands by resorting to the use of  torch light, candles and in most cases  use cell phones to carry out their duties.

“The situation is embarrassing. We sometimes task ourselves to buy fuel for the generating set. We are aware that government provides at least N400,000 on quarterly basis  to run  hospitals  but we don’t know  why   we  are in darkness at night,.” a health worker  who preferred anonymity, spoke of her hospital located in  Delta central district.

A  medical director, who also not want his name in print acknowledged the power problem and paucity of fund in public hospitals in the state, adding that “ we are trying our best.”

Speaking on the issue, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu  Ebie, said government would investigate the matter.

While expressing concern over  the situation where workers in hospitals carry out assignments in a most distressful condition, Ebie noted, however, that some health facilities in rural areas hardly generate revenue.