The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has launched an investigation after a dental operation was abruptly discontinued due to a sudden power outage, leaving a patient in severe pain and unable to complete her treatment.
The incident occurred on Monday during a tooth extraction procedure performed by a dentist identified as Dr. Adedoyin. The operation was reportedly stopped midway when the hospital experienced a blackout, and the backup generator failed to start.
The patient, Ms. Opeyemi Taofeekah, said the dentist had already cut into her gum and was about to extract the tooth when the lights went off. According to her, the doctor said the procedure could not continue without electricity and advised her to return on Wednesday when power might be restored.
“He had already made an incision in my gum and was about to remove the tooth when the light went off. The pain is unbearable,” Taofeekah recounted in tears. She added that despite seeking help at a private clinic afterwards, she was turned away because the surgery was incomplete, and her gum was already open and swollen.
Her caregiver, Mr. Adegoke Idris, described the experience as “shocking and traumatic,” saying the hospital should have had adequate backup power to prevent such a situation.
When contacted, the hospital’s spokesperson, Mr. Segun Orisajo, confirmed the incident and stated that the matter would be investigated. He noted that the issue involved both the clinical team and the hospital’s power supply unit, stressing the need to understand why the backup power system failed.
“We will investigate the cause of the power outage and the failure of the backup system. It is not a case of negligence by medical personnel, but we must look into the circumstances surrounding the disruption of power,” he said.
This incident comes amid broader concerns about the state of power supply in Nigerian hospitals. Earlier this year, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, suffered over 100 days of blackout, severely affecting medical operations.
Modern medical procedures rely heavily on electricity, and interruptions can pose serious risks to patients’ lives and safety.
FMC Abeokuta has assured that a comprehensive review will be conducted to prevent a recurrence and ensure uninterrupted medical services.
