UUTH Calls For Supporting Facilities

The Management of the Univeristy of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) says it is operating sacrificially in the face of an influx of patients far above its facility.
Dr Timothy Nottidge, the Deputy Chief Medical Director of the hospital, told newsmen in Uyo that facilities at the 300 beds hospital are overstretched.
The hospital, he noted is unique, given its circumstance as the only public hospital in the state, a situation which has seen it work five times more than its capacity.
Nottidge, who is also the chairman, medical advisory committee of the hospital, explained that it is not feasible for the hospital alone to cater for the health needs of over 3.5 million people in the state.
According to him, the hospital receives an average of 2,500 to 3,000 patients daily.
“Nine out of 10 patients have no money to pay for service in this hospital. This is the major thing with free services, it does not last, “Nottidge lamented.
He continued, “we are depending on God, this management does not steal money, we are talking to our staff, pushing them to render services. We need support from everybody because for now, this hospital is the only one that we have”, we pleaded.
The hospital under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director, Professor Emmanuel Ekanem in the last four years, has witnessed the erection of several blocks, thus decongesting several departments in the hospital.
The Akwa Ibom State government had donated a Renal Dialysis Centre with 17 machines and had also built special children block.
The state government also promised to construct internal roads within the hospital which are in deplorable states.