The management of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has acknowledged the importance of media reports, saying The Guardian article on its facility is yielding positive impacts.
The management disclosed that the Federal Government has completed its oxygen piping facility that will cover 100 beds and make the cylinders deliver gas directly to patients from the manifold.
UPTH Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Datonye Alasia, stated this when he led the committee on a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Rivers State Council, where The Guardian South-South acting Bureau Chief, Ann Godwin, presented evidential proofs that substantiated her report at the apex health facility.
Alasia, speaking on development in the teaching hospital, said: “We just finished oxygen piping that will cover 100 beds. We have pressure tested the pipes to make the cylinders deliver directly from the manifold,” said Alasia
He added: “It is a liquid Federal government project. It is not something that is common in Nigeria. After Covid-19 pandemic, people realised its importance, it is like a fuel tank, we have 10,000 litres. So, the story has its positive impacts in our facility. Nothing is intrinsically bad.”
Recall that The Guardian on June 1,2024, in a report titled, ‘At UPTH’s ICU, horror, nightmare as caregivers exploit sick, dying patients’ detailed the excruciating pains and challenges at the intensive unit of UPTH. Surprisingly, the UPTH earlier refuted the reports.
The NUJ State Chairman, Stanley Job, at the meeting explained that the duty of journalists is not to undermine anyone’s business or organization, but only interested in making the society better.
Also, the National Coordinator, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Prince Wiro, said it is heartwarming that the report on UPTH is yielding positive result including attracting Federal Government’s attention to the institution.
He commended the management of UPTH for instituting punitive measures against staff that went against work ethics captured in The Guardian report.
He, therefore, urged the management of UPTH to ensure it continued to investigate complaints by patients no matter how insignificant for effective service delivery.
