Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, has announced the institution’s commitment to transitioning to renewable energy sources to meet its power requirements sustainably.
As a Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Adeyemo emphasized the hospital’s proactive approach in energy conservation and waste reduction.
Notably, 20% of the hospital’s yearly budget will now be dedicated to investing in renewable energy.
The decision to embrace renewable energy stems from the recent escalation in electricity tariffs and the need to prevent power shortages at the leading teaching hospital.
Experiencing a significant spike in electricity costs from N69 million in March to N252 million in April, LUTH also faced challenges with an 8-day power disconnection by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company in July, causing disruptions in various hospital areas.
Adeyemo highlighted that LUTH is implementing strategies to improve energy efficiency to counter these issues effectively.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of stable power supply in upholding healthcare standards, he disclosed that the hospital has already reduced its electricity consumption by 25 to 30% through energy-saving initiatives.
Additionally, all future constructions across LUTH and its three campuses will integrate renewable energy solutions to enhance operational sustainability.
In further efforts to promote energy conservation, town hall meetings have been organized at the hospital to raise awareness about the significance of efficient energy usage.
Prof. Adeyemo’s leadership underscores LUTH’s dedication to sustainable practices and underscores the critical importance of reliable power supply in healthcare delivery.
The don further said, “Now, we need to manage the power in terms of our conservation. We are doing that a lot. We have reduced electricity consumption by maybe between 25 and 30 per cent. And that is going to be reflected in the bill.
“For me, as the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, going forward, even if it is 10 or 20 per cent of my budget every year will be invested in renewable energy. So that at the end of the day, we are going to cover all the parts of the expenses.
“We have also made up our mind that no new structure in LUTH or any of the three campuses that we have will be commissioned without incorporating renewable energy because that’s the direction to go.
“If you look at the energy consumption and electricity, there are some parts of the hospital that use other sources of energy, and that’s the purpose of complementing the public power, with renewable energy. Sometimes they take light for one reason or the other. When we don’t have light, what are you going to do? Meaning that renewable energy is going to support us.
“Some parts of the hospitals must not go without power. Places like the theatre where we operate patients; the intensive care unit where we take care of our patients who are in critical condition; neonatal units, and several other parts of the hospital.
“You know we also have the biggest cancer centre in Nigeria and West Africa. The machines that are there cannot go off for 1 second, so we need constant electricity.”
The Chief Medical Director of LUTH praised the federal government and the Minister of Power for their support in tackling the energy crisis.
He highlighted that the government has taken a significant step by allocating funds for renewable energy in the 2024 budget.
The CMD is hopeful that this positive initiative will be sustained and included in the 2025 budget and subsequent ones, paving the way for a brighter energy future.
