The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has emphasised the need to strengthen the University’s role in producing globally competitive health professionals and to make the Teaching Hospital a shining example.

The Chairman, Governing Board of RSUTH, Dr. Sampson Parker, said the hospital is on a journey of renewal and responsibility to reimagine the healthcare delivery system in Rivers State.

He called for the collaboration of other teaching hospitals and Universities within Nigeria, as well as the government, ministries, and donor organisations, to expand their capacity and align their work with national and global health priorities.

Parker stated this on Monday during the inauguration of the new governing board of the Teaching Hospital in Rivers State. Recall that the State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, recently appointed chairmen of eight boards and members in the state, including the Boards of Rivers State Teaching Hospital, where Parker serves as chairman, while Professor Chizindu Alikor was retained as Chief Medical Director.

Parker, a former Commissioner of Health in the state, urged the new board members to work diligently and ensure high-quality health services for the people of the State, emphasising that “the lives of men, women, and children depend on our stewardship.”

He explained that it is a sacred trust and must be approached with diligence, discipline, and devotion.
Parker regretted that, oftentimes, the welfare of staff is overlooked, but he assured that the board under him will not make such a mistake.

He said, “A Teaching Hospital that neglects the welfare of its staff cannot deliver excellence. We must therefore prioritise a safe working environment free from avoidable hazards, violence, and preventable risks.”

“When we invest in our people, they in turn invest their best in our patients, students. Staff welfare is not a privilege; it is a necessity for sustainable excellence.”

The chairman said the board will prioritise support systems that will help staff thrive in the profession through stress management programmes, counselling, and continuous training.

He stated further, “Healthcare challenges are complex and cannot be solved in isolation. That is why collaboration is essential.

“As a board, we will actively seek partnerships with other teaching hospitals and universities within Nigeria to share expertise, research findings, and training opportunities.”

Parker also encouraged the board members to remain steadfast in fulfilling their mandate at the state’s apex hospital.

“We have a dual responsibility: to provide world-class medical care to patients, and to train the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and health professionals”.

He said, “As we begin our work today, let us be guided by vision, integrity, and commitment to service. Let us build a teaching hospital where excellence is not an aspiration but a way of life; where patients find healing, students find inspiration, and staff find fulfilment.

“Together, we can make the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital not only a symbol of medical progress in Nigeria but also a beacon of hope for Africa,” he added.