Sophia Michaels
The management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has reacted to recent reports about it. The UPTH debunked an online report that it sent nursing mothers and their newborn home due to electricity failure. While denying the allegation, the hospital said patients in its paediatric units are receiving attention across all areas designated for their care. The UPTH Chief Medical Director, Prof Henry, made the clarification in a statement issued by the institution’s acting Public Relations Officer, Elabha Meni, on Tuesday, which was sent to newsmen in Port Harcourt. Although it admitted that the institution was contending with the challenge of power supply, the management maintained that the closure of any section of the hospital or suspension of services are weighty decisions that the hospital will communicate through appropriate channels. The statement partly read, “The attention of the Management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has been drawn to a currently circulating online publication claiming that the hospital has ordered all mothers and newborns to leave the hospital due to a power blackout.
“The UPTH management wishes to set the records straight and emphatically state that there is no iota of truth in the said publication.
“The closure of any section of the hospital or suspension of services are weighty decisions that the hospital management will communicate through appropriate channels.
“The patients in our paediatric units are receiving treatment in all our appropriately designated permanent and holding arcas for their care, despite the temporal cut in public electricity supply from the distribution company and national grid.
“It has never been our practice to refer patients out without appropriate protocols, in view of our status as the apex centre of referrals for tertiary specialist care.
“We reiterate that the publication is false,” the statement remarked.
It noted that it was not the first time the authors of the said publication were churning out such fake news, adding, “We advise clients and relatives to ensure accurate reportage of situations surrounding their care and seek clarification on any issues from appropriate quarters.
“We solicit your support and understanding as we strive to provide excellent tertiary level care to all our patients and satisfaction to our stakeholders,” UPTH stressed.
