The Nigerian Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals across Nigeria to reduce operational costs and ease the financial burden on patients.
Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced this during his visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna State. The subsidy is part of the government’s broader initiative to enhance healthcare delivery in the country.
The decision comes in response to the rising overhead costs in hospitals, where energy expenses constitute over 40% of total costs, according to the Association of Nigeria Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP).
With increasing electricity tariffs, particularly in Band A, and the high cost of diesel, hospitals have been struggling with financial challenges, which often lead to higher medical bills for patients. Business Day reports that the government hopes this subsidy will help alleviate these pressures.