By Ayodele Oni
The Management of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH), has revealed inherited debt from the immediate past leadership running to several billions of naira.
The UBTH chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, (CMAC), Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo stated that the present management inherited over N7 billion debts, including unpaid contractors bills ― handed over to Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu by the immediate past Chief Medical Medical Director of the facility, Prof. Darlington Obaseki.
Dr Osaigbovo said in addition, UBTH hospital pays about N150 million monthly electricity bills to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, (BEDC) under the Band A reflective tariffs payment plan, which does not guarantee 24 hours electricity supply.
Osaigbovo, who spoke in an interview on a Radio programme in Benin, at the weekend, revealed that 30,000 litres of diesel to provide alternative power supply to rev machines and procurement of other medical equipment, medicine, drugs, oxygen consumables, and other items, which he claimed have seriously impacted the daily running cost of the hospital.
These developments, according to him, prompted the Management of the hospital to recently approve a slight upward review of charges in three areas. These include cost of consumables, deposit for the treatment of patients and life-saving mission.
He disclosed that the move would bridge funding gaps to compliment the federal government monthly subvention, which is not enough for the hospital’s need to provide quality and affordable healthcare and avert imminent shut down.
According to him, the current Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof(Mrs) Idia Ize-Iyamu is just six months old in office.
“Within the period, the Joint Health Sector union, JOHESU, went on a nationwide strike that lasted for three months over the what it termed the federal government’s failure to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in Nigeria.”
He also recalled, “As she (Idia Ize-Iyamu) took the mantle of leadership, she inherited a debt of N7 billion from her predecessors.
“Less than two weeks into office, contractors who rendered services for the hospital during past administrations, embarked on a protest over unpaid debts.”
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