“No light, no water, we can’t even attend to patients” — Nurses cry out from Uwani General Hospital, Enugu
Nurses at Uwani General Hospital have raised serious concerns over the condition of the facility, calling for urgent intervention from the Enugu State Government.
In a video, the nurses on night duty lamented that there was no electricity in the hospital, making it difficult to properly attend to patients.
They also revealed that the situation is worsened by the lack of water, leaving them struggling to carry out basic medical duties.
Having worked in healthcare settings with similar infrastructure challenges, I deeply empathize with the nurses at Uwani General Hospital. The absence of electricity impacts not just lighting but also the operation of critical medical devices and refrigeration of medicines, greatly compromising patient safety. Lack of running water further complicates hygiene practices, crucial for infection control. Experience shows that such conditions can lead to heightened stress and burnout among healthcare workers, diminishing quality of care over time. Addressing these issues requires immediate government intervention to restore reliable utility services and ensure a safe working environment. Moreover, installing backup generators and water storage systems can provide temporary relief during outages. Community advocacy and media attention can also prompt quicker responses and accountability from authorities. Ultimately, sustaining healthcare quality in resource-limited facilities hinges on infrastructural improvements combined with strong administrative support. Sharing these challenges openly helps draw attention to the urgent need for solutions to maintain patient welfare and staff morale in hospitals like Uwani General.
