KEDCO Under Fire As Three Die After Power Cut at Teaching Hospital

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

The death of three patients on life support at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has sparked outrage after the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) cut off power supply to the facility over an outstanding debt of nearly N950 million.

Hospital spokesperson, Hauwa Dutse, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement on Monday, revealing that four patients were on ventilatory support in the Intensive Care Unit when the blackout occurred, but only one survived.

“On that very day, Friday, there were four patients on admission, and due to the power outage, three of them died,” Dutse said. She added that normalcy was restored following an emergency meeting involving AKTH management, KEDCO officials, and the Kano State Police Command.

“The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, wishes to inform the general public that the matter has been resolved amicably in collaboration with KEDCO and the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Bakori. The management of AKTH expresses its sincere appreciation to the Commissioner of Police and the Managing Director of KEDCO for their timely support and concern during this challenging period,” Dutse stated.

KEDCO, in its defense, insisted that the hospital had accumulated debts amounting to N949.88 million as of August, while also owing a current bill of N108.95 million which it must clear within 10 working days to avoid further sanctions.

The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala, further explained that its technicians had attempted to separate the hospital’s power line from staff residential quarters due to “alleged wastage,” but were denied access, leading to the shutdown that proved fatal.

The deaths have intensified calls for stronger protections to ensure that public hospitals and critical health facilities are exempted from electricity disconnections, with stakeholders warning that unresolved utility disputes should never be allowed to jeopardize human lives.