UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital eyes solar power for operations, says new CMD

The newly appointed Chief Medical Director of Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, has said the management of the facility would consider relying on solar power and inverter to power its operations.

Dr Afolabi, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, said the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has been assisting the hospital in paying part of its electricity bills.

Afolabi, who hinted that the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital has been placed on solar, further disclosed plans to put operating theatres and some wards on alternative sources of energy.

Noting that payment for electricity has been a major concern of the hospital, Afolabi further said, “The governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has assisted us in the Teaching Hospital by subsidising heavily on our electricity.

“We are also making efforts to get solar and inverter systems. As I am talking now, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology is working on that. We aim to get everywhere working on solar and put on our generating set only when we need to do heavy operations.

“If the solar can come on board and with the electricity that has already been subsidised, it will go a long way in helping the hospital.

“Our Accident and Emergency unit is already fixed with solar system and we aim to do that in major emergency areas. If all these places are on solar, our problem is solved.”

Speaking further on his plans for the hospital, the CMD said he has 5-pillar action plans of patient-centred care, clinical excellence, medical education, research and innovation, and operational efficiency.

He also said that immediately, the management would conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify areas for improvement, establish a quality improvement committee to drive clinical excellence, and launch a patient feedback system to enhance patient engagement.

The CMD also said plans were underway to develop a strategic plan for medical education and research and implement a performance management system to monitor progress, calling for input and ideas that could make the hospital function better.