Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua has commended the Federal Government for approving a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals in the country.
Yar’adua, who made the commendation in a statement on Friday, said the subsidy would further reduce the operational cost incurred by the hospitals.
This, he said, would further enhance seamless health services delivery via reduction of electricity supply related issues in the hospitals for good of Nigerians.
Yar’adua also commended the National Assembly for its motions on electricity related issues,and Ministry of Power for driving the idea on electricity subsidy for public hospitals.
He said the decision on electricity subsidy for the hospitals by the Federal Government was a direct response to a motion earlier sponsored by him on July 9.
According to him, the motion urged the Federal Government to reduce tariffs on the public hospitals as it adds to the burden and medical fees paid by patients.
He said the decision by government to provide subsidy for public hospitals in the country was also in line with the investigation mandate of Senate Committee on power on electricity tarriff increase in the country.
Yar’adua said:”I am thrilled to see the federal government adhering to calls for provision electricity for public hospitals in the country.
“The decision of government will bring immense relief to the public hospitals and the patients they serve.”
The Katsina senator, said the laudable initiative further demonstrated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu and by extension, the ministry of power’s commitment to the well-being of Nigerians and development of the healthcare sector.
He expressed appreciation for improved electricity supply in many parts of Nigeria and urged the ministry and other stakeholders in the sector to sustain the supply.
He also urged the ministry not to relent on its progressive steps in ensuring that millions of unmetered Nigerian households were provided with meters to boost electricity supply.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government approved a 50 per cent subsidy on electricity consumed in hospitals across the nation.
This followed a promise by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that the government would subsidise electricity in hospitals and universities, even if they were on Band-A feeders.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, had announced on Thursday, Aug. 29 that the Federal Government had approved the 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals.
According to him, the gesture aims to reduce running costs for public hospitals and alleviate the impact on patients.(NAN