The Federal Government has approved a 50% subsidy on electricity bills for public hospitals across Nigeria. This initiative, announced by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, aims to reduce operational costs for these hospitals and alleviate the financial burden on patients.

Dr. Alausa announced this during a visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, where he unveiled new electronic health records and alternative power sources, including a solar-powered borehole and the solarisation of the hospital’s dialysis unit.

The subsidy follows a commitment by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who previously assured that the government would subsidize electricity for hospitals and universities, even those connected to Band-A feeders, known for higher electricity tariffs.

However, Minister Adelabu clarified that the subsidy would only apply to the public sectors within these institutions, excluding private businesses operating on their premises. He emphasized the need for proper metering of all businesses within universities and hospitals to ensure that only eligible public institutions benefit from the subsidy.

The decision comes in response to concerns raised by universities and hospitals about skyrocketing electricity bills following the removal of subsidies for Band-A customers, which increased their daily electricity supply to a minimum of 20 hours.