Members of the Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria have raised alarm that some hospitals have shut down, while others are struggling to render optimum services due to the hike in the price of diesel in Rivers State.
General Secretary of the organization, Festus Ossai, said that many private healthcare facilities can no longer cope with operational of running their hospitals.
He also said that some medical procedures and services have been affected as most hospitals do not have 24 hours power supply.
He also added that the current price of diesel slightly affected the price of health services and patients are complaining.
Dr Ossai warned that the development will affect healthcare delivery in the country.
For months, Nigerians have been facing facing biting energy crisis.
The price of diesel has risen from N250 to about N650 per litre. There has also been rise in the price of cooking gas, petrol electricity and electricity.
Activities in many parts of the country, including Rivers State have also been grounded by petrol scarcity.
However, the Rivers State Government, through the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr Peter Medee has set up a Task force that daily monitor the loading of Petroleum products and NNPC Depot at the official control price.
To ensure that the quantity lifted are distributed to designated retail outlets,the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources publishes the daily manifest stating which Petrol Stations have products which must be sold at the official control prices.
Our Correspondent reports that to boost the healthcare services and assist the private hospitals, the state government had approved and released revolving loan to the owners of private hospitals.
Regrettably,Governor Wike later observed that those who benefited refused to show accountability and repay so that the funds could go round to others yet access the funds.
