The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to include private hospitals in its electricity tariff subsidy.
The association's National President, Dr Kayode Adesola, and Secretary, Dr Debo Adebiyi, appealed in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
The association argued that their inclusion in the subsidy would enable them to remain affordable and accessible to citizens who receive about 70% of healthcare from private health facilities across the country.
They noted that the federal government's recent approval of a 50% subsidy for electricity consumed in public hospitals has left private hospitals at a disadvantage.
The leaders emphasised that the private health sector has been at the forefront for four years demanding an electricity tariff subsidy for all health facilities in the country.
They argued that if public hospitals are deemed to need a 50% subsidy, then private hospitals should arguably benefit from a subsidy of between 75% to 100%.
“We that have been pleading for respite from just one of the numerous overheads should not be suddenly left out at this stage.
“If the government thinks the public hospitals will need 50 per cent electricity subsidy, then the private hospitals should arguably benefit from a subsidy of between 75 per cent to 100 percent, " they said.
The association highlighted that over 40% of their overheads go to energy provision, and 95% of their patients cannot afford the commensurate charges.
They noted that many private hospitals have shut down in the last 18 months due to inflation, while some personnel have joined the brain drain trend.
“Over 40 per cent of our overheads go to energy provision as a necessity in our hospitals whether through electricity supply by the DISCOs or self-generated energy.
“And 95 per cent of our patients can never afford the commensurate charges, ”the statement noted.
The leaders commended the government for heeding the call to subsidize electricity tariffs to health facilities but urged them not to be discriminatory.
They argued that private facilities should not be left on the same electricity tariff as blue-chip companies, oil firms, and the banking industry, given their humanitarian services.
The association demanded fairness and equity, saying that extending the electricity tariff subsidy to the private health sector would ultimately benefit the masses.
They noted that health and education are two constant indices to which attention is paid optimally in successful economies.
The leaders further emphasized that no serious nation undermines its private sector, especially the private health sector, which delivers 70% of healthcare services and boasts an enviable widespread across the country.
