Tragedy Strikes Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital as Three Patients Die After Electricity Disconnection

Three patients on life support at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) have tragically lost their lives following a power outage caused by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

The hospital's Chief Information Officer, Hauwa Inuwa Dutse, confirmed the deaths, attributing them directly to the disruption of life-support machines due to the electricity disconnection.

The power outage was a result of KEDCO's decision to cut off electricity supply to the hospital over an outstanding debt of N949.88 million, with an additional demand for full settlement of the August bill of N108.95 million within 10 working days.

The hospital management expressed distress over the incident, emphasizing the critical nature of uninterrupted power supply for life-support systems. Professor Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, Chief Medical Director of AKTH, urged an urgent resolution to the dispute to prevent further loss of lives.

KEDCO explained that the crisis arose from efforts to separate AKTH's main hospital facilities from staff residential quarters to ensure uninterrupted power for critical medical services. The company claimed that AKTH management insisted on keeping staff residences on the same feeder as the hospital, compromising supply stability.

Following an intervention by the Kano State Police Command, KEDCO restored electricity to the hospital after a meeting between AKTH and KEDCO officials. The hospital management appreciated the timely support from the Commissioner of Police and KEDCO's Managing Director.