The commissioner also praised the hospital’s management, led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Michael Gbala, for its commitment to providing quality healthcare.
The first phase of the installation focuses on departments where reliable electricity is particularly important for patient treatment and the operation of medical equipment.
The theatre unit requires dependable power for surgical procedures, while the NICU provides care for newborns who may need specialised monitoring and support.
The Laboratory Services Department and Radiology Department also depend on electricity to operate equipment used for investigations and diagnosis.
Similarly, the Trauma Centre and Mother and Child Unit provide services for patients who may require timely medical attention.
By connecting the solar system to these departments, the hospital is seeking to improve the reliability of power supply in areas central to its healthcare operations.
The commissioner said further phases of the project would follow, although details of their capacity, funding and implementation timelines were not provided.
CMD Describes Installation as Major Breakthrough
Gbala described the successful test run of the 240kW solar installation as a major breakthrough in the hospital’s efforts to address its electricity challenges.
He stressed that reliable power supply was indispensable to effective medical services, particularly in departments responsible for critical care and other essential procedures.
The chief medical director confirmed that the system had been tested successfully and connected to several key units, expressing confidence that the intervention would strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide quality and affordable healthcare to residents of Ondo State.
He thanked Aiyedatiwa for his continued support, describing the installation as a good starting point while expressing hope for additional interventions to improve the hospital’s infrastructure.
Gbala also said the improvement in electricity supply would encourage staff to remain committed to their responsibilities and the hospital’s humanitarian mission.
The hospital’s management expects the solar installation to support more dependable operations in the departments already connected to the system.
However, the extent of any reduction in electricity costs or generator use has not been quantified.
Further Phases Expected to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery
The project is part of efforts to improve the infrastructure supporting healthcare delivery at UNIMEDTH, with the state government indicating that additional phases are expected.
Beyond the immediate benefits to the six departments, the installation is intended to reduce the burden of unstable power supply on hospital operations and improve the working environment for medical personnel.
Electricity is essential to the operation of modern health facilities, supporting medical equipment, diagnostic procedures and other services required for patient care.
Reliable power can therefore help hospitals maintain essential operations, particularly in departments where interruptions can disrupt treatment.
The hospital has not disclosed the total planned capacity of the wider solar project, the cost of the installation or the timetable for extending the system to other departments.
It is also unclear how much the hospital expects to save through reduced reliance on generators and grid electricity.
For now, the successful test run and connection of the 240kW installation to critical departments represent the first phase of the intervention.
The state government has indicated that further phases will follow as efforts continue to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery at the teaching hospital.
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