Hospitals Shut Down Over High Cost Of Diesel
Members of the Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria have expressed concern that certain hospitals in Rivers State have closed owing to a rise in the price of diesel.
Others are struggling to provide services.
Festus Ossai, the organization’s General Secretary, stated that many private healthcare providers can no longer afford to run their hospitals.
He also stated that several medical processes and services have been impacted because most hospitals do not have a continuous power source.
He also stated that the present price of fuel has had a minor impact on the cost of health-care services, and patients are protesting.
Dr. Ossai expressed concern that the development will have an impact on healthcare services in the country.
Nigerians have been suffering from a severe electricity shortage for months.
The price of diesel has risen from N250 to about N650 per litre. There has also been rise in the price of cooking gas, petrol and electricity.
Activities in many parts of the country, including Rivers State have also been grounded by petrol scarcity.
However, the Rivers State Government, through the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr Peter Medee has set up a Task force that daily monitors the loading of Petroleum products and NNPC Depot at the official control price.
To ensure that the quantity lifted is distributed to designated retail outlets,the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources publishes the daily manifest stating which Petrol Stations have products, which must be sold at the official prices.
Our Correspondent reports that to boost the healthcare services and assist the private hospitals, the state government had approved and released revolving loan to the owners of private hospitals.
Regrettably,Governor Wike later observed that those who benefited refused to show accountability and repay so that the funds could go round to others yet to access the funds.
