Guild laments N25 million monthly electricity bill by hospitals

The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) has raised concerns over the operational costs facing hospitals, saying that some facilities are spending up to N25 million monthly on power generation alone.

They also said that multiple taxations, escalating power costs, dollarisation, insecurity, Japa syndrome and restricted government policies are having adverse effects on the healthcare sector and forcing some private hospitals to shut down.

President of the Guild, Dr Abiodun Kuti, highlighted the challenges during a media briefing after their 2024 yearly general meeting in Lagos, with the theme: “From Profession to Industry in a VUCA Environment.”

Kuti, who emphasised the financial struggles of the average Nigerian, noted that many citizens are grappling with basic sustenance, making healthcare a greater challenge.

He said that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), despite being made compulsory, covers less than 10 per cent of Nigerians, leaving majority of them without essential health insurance and access to necessary healthcare services.

Kuti, therefore, urged government to reform its role in healthcare management, saying: “Government should just formulate policies and regulations and not involve in the implementation and running of hospitals whether tertiary or secondary.

Also speaking, National Secretary General, Dr Samuel Adebayo, said most facilities run at a minimal profit or no profit at all and some at a loss.

He said Nigeria should improve on the insurance system.

On his part, Publicity Secretary, GMD Lagos chapter, Dr Lekan Adelakun, said: “Hospitals should be able to have access to the funds allocated to the sector.”

“We want friendly policies that will promote the running of private practice, which will reflect on how Nigerians are being treated.”