Three patients on life support at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano State, northern Nigeria, have died following an interruption to the hospital’s electricity supply by Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
Confirming the death in a statement, hospital spokesman, Hauwa Dutse, said four patients were on ventilatory support in its Intensive Care Unit when power was cut, but three died.
It was gathered that KEDCO disconnected the facility over an outstanding debt of N949.88 million as of the end of August.
The Disco’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Sani Bala, in a statement on Monday, said the hospital is also expected to settle its August bill of N108.95 million in full within 10 working days or risk further sanctions.
Hauwa explained that the blackout had a direct impact on patients on life-support machines.
“On that very day, Friday, there were four patients on admission, and due to the power outage, three of them died,” she said.
She explained that the issue has been resolved after an urgent meeting involving stakeholders from AKTH, KEDCO, and the Police.
According to her, “The Managing Director immediately after the meeting directed KEDCO engineers to reconnect electricity to the hospital.
“The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, wishes to inform the general public that the matter has been resolved amicably in collaboration with KEDCO and the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Bakori.
“The management of AKTH expresses its sincere appreciation to the Commissioner of Police and the Managing Director of KEDCO for their timely support and concern during this challenging period.”
Recently, the government of Nigeria approved N68.7 billion for key electricity projects in universities and teaching hospitals across Nigeria.
