The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has stopped the salaries of over 1,000 workers following a staff verification exercise that uncovered widespread irregularities in its payroll system.

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Chituru Orluwene, disclosed this during a press briefing to mark his first 100 days in office, revealing that the decision was part of sweeping reforms aimed at restoring accountability and efficiency in the institution.

Orluwene said the verification exercise became necessary after it was discovered that the hospital’s payroll contained about 4,000 names, whereas only 2,000 staff were physically present and actively working.

According to the CMD, the verification exercise identified about 2,000 workers who could not be accounted for, prompting management to suspend the salaries of over 1,000 of them pending further action. He added that the report has been forwarded to the Federal Government for necessary decisions, including the possible recruitment of qualified personnel.

Orluwene described the development as a major step in addressing systemic corruption and financial leakages in the hospital. He noted that eliminating “ghost workers” would free up resources and improve service delivery. “We have recovered a lot. The presence of individuals collecting salaries without working has had a damaging effect on the system,” he said.

The CMD also announced a crackdown on unauthorised financial practices within the hospital, particularly targeting staff who allegedly diverted payments into private accounts using Point of Sale (POS) machines.

In a move expected to bring relief to patients, the hospital management has ordered a downward review of hospital and mortuary bills. Orluwene said the decision aligns with the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, aimed at improving access to healthcare.

He also introduced a structured feeding system for in-patients, stating that patients would now pay N5,000 daily for three balanced meals.

Addressing concerns about environmental hygiene, particularly mosquito infestation within the hospital premises, the CMD revealed that extensive sanitation measures had been carried out.

He explained that consultants engaged by the management discovered major infrastructural issues, including broken underground pipes and blocked soakaway pits, which contributed to stagnant water and mosquito breeding. “They drained the soakaway pits and evacuated about 40 truckloads of waste. Since then, the mosquito problem has reduced significantly,” he said.

Orluwene, the eighth CMD of UPTH, reiterated his commitment to transparency and an open-door policy, pledging to sustain reforms that will reposition the hospital as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, for the opportunity to serve, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him.