By Emmanuel Dominic 
Lagos Hospital Questions N20 Million Bill for Just 3 Hours of Daily Electricity
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute Metta in Lagos has raised serious concerns over its escalating energy costs, revealing that it spends approximately ₦20 million monthly on electricity despite receiving only three hours of public power supply each day. This situation has forced the hospital to rely heavily on diesel generators, consuming up to 80,000 litres of diesel monthly to maintain 24-hour operations essential for patient care. Over the past seven years, the hospital has self-generated about 95% of its electricity to ensure uninterrupted services .This issue is not isolated. Other public hospitals across Nigeria are facing similar challenges. For instance, the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos has seen its monthly electricity bill increase from ₦18 million to ₦45 million, while the Lagos University Teaching Hospital’s bill ranges between ₦69 million and ₦252 million monthly .In response to these mounting costs, the Federal Government approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals in August 2024. However, the implementation of this subsidy has been delayed, with hospitals still awaiting its rollout .The situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. While some hospitals are exploring renewable energy options like solar power, these systems often cannot meet the full energy demands of critical areas such as operating theatres. Experts advocate for significant government investment in renewable energy infrastructure to alleviate the financial strain on public hospitals and ensure consistent and reliable power supply for essential healthcare services.
