Rivers

Senate Applauds UPTH For Setting Up Psychiatric Unit

Published

5 years ago

October 13, 2021

The Senate Committee on Health has applauded the Chief Medical Director (CMD,) University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for establishing a Psychiatric Unit in the hospital.
The committee also expressed satisfaction at some of the projects executed by the hospital’s management under the leadership of Prof Henry Ugboma with scarce resources during the Covid-19 pandemic era.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibraham Yahaya Oloriegbe, stated this during a tour of hospital facilities in the South-South and South-East regions as part of its oversight function.
He described the unit as one of the special facilities in Nigeria to handle cases of substance abuse.
Oloriegbe said the unit would manage situations such as anxiety, depression and abuse of substances in the region.
The chairman noted that part of the security and economic challenges experienced in the society was caused by substance abuse by youths.
He said the committee was impressed with the level of infrastructural development at the hospital for the past years under Ugboma.
“From what we have seen, we are impressed as a committee that we have taken the right decisions, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic in UPTH.
“We are particularly interested in some of the projects that were implemented with resources that are made available during the worst situations in 2020 and 2021”.
Oloriegbe commended the medical director for expanding the hospital Intensive Care Unit, Radiology Department and improved its laboratory unit to function as a tertiary healthcare provider to the region.
He noted that UPTH has been able to provide services to the people, especially at the tertiary level, adding that the hospital had over 250 consultants in various disciplines to manage severe cases.
The chairman, who described the hospital as a specialty centre, said UPTH had improved in area of burns and plastic surgeries; and provides modern equipment such as MRI and other areas of specialties.
On his assessment of federal hospitals, Oloriegbe said before Covid-19 started, there was less than 300 ventilators across the hospitals, but today, all Federal Government-owned teaching hospitals have improved in terms of equipment, infrastructure and manpower to handle emergency situations.
The committee further admonished UPTH management to improve its maintenance culture on its equipment and infrastructure.
The senator urged the management to improve in the lighting systems in the departments and the entire complex.
Earlier, Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof Henry Ugboma, had called on the committee to improve budgetary allocation and funding of the hospital for better result.
Ugboma said the committee was happy with prudent utilisation of funds accruing to the hospital.
“They saw the achievements we made in the hospital; the committee was satisfied with our 2020/2021 capital projects.
“We need a lot of money to rehabilitate what we have; we need money to renew the hospital annually”, Ugboma said.
He said his dream was making efforts to turn UPTH to a 5-star hospital and the hub of medical tourism in the country.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Social Welfare Ministry Accepts UNIPORT’s Training, Vulnerable Database Proposal

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation has revealed that it will consider new proposals by the University of Port Harcourt to engage its staff on refresher training and a state-wide database initiative for vulnerable persons, to ensure efficient service delivery and data-driven planning in the state.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lauretta Davies-Dimpka, disclosed this when she received a delegation from the University of Port Harcourt, led by a Professor of Social Work and Community Development, Prof. Daniel Uranta, which also include some of his PhD students, during a courtesy visit to her office, Friday.

She described the visit as “timely to get our staff up to speed regarding current standards in social work practice”, and assured the visiting team that their proposals, including a one-month certificate programme for staff and a Child Rights Implementation/Enforcement Committee, would be reviewed.

She added that the ministry’s doors are open for collaboration and partnership, noting that with collaborative effort, social work will achieve greater impact and professionalism in the state.

Earlier, Prof. Uranta said the visit was to formally introduce himself and seek collaboration to strengthen the existing partnership between the university and the ministry.

He proposed four key areas of cooperation: refresher training for ministry staff, a one-month certificate programme on social work for staff, development of a state-wide database for vulnerable persons across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, and strengthening of a Child Rights Implementation/Enforcement Committee.

The UNIPORT Professor noted that the proposals are aimed at improving case management and welfare response across the state.

The courtesy visit ended on a cordial note, with both parties expressing willingness to collaborate and review the proposals.

Rivers

100 Days: UPTH CMD Harps On Brain Drain, Anti-Corruption

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Chituru Godswill Orluwene, has identified brain drain and corruption as critical challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector.

Orluwene, who made this known during a press briefing to mark his first 100 days in office, in Choba, declared that his administration is tackling both issues headlong as part of efforts to reposition the institution.

He noted that the stewardship session was aimed at rendering account of his leadership and setting a transparent benchmark for performance going forward.

“This 100 days is to render stewardship and give account of our activities, while we tackle corruption headlong within the system”, he said.

Addressing concerns over the exodus of medical professionals, the CMD said, poor working conditions have contributed significantly to brain drain, but that ongoing reforms are beginning to address these challenges.

He expressed optimism in the efforts of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that, Government is repositioning the health sector, especially in remuneration and infrastructure.

On corruption, Prof. Orluwene stressed, “We have taken decisive steps to block all financial leakages and ensure accountability in our operations.”

He disclosed that a staff verification exercise exposed irregularities, stating that “Out of over 4,000 staff on the payroll, only about 2,000 presented themselves for verification.

“As a result, over 1,000 salaries have been stopped due to discrepancies identified during the exercise.”

Highlighting policy reforms, the CMD said, feeding of patients has now been standardized at ?5,000 for three meals, while other charges have been reviewed downward.

On infrastructure, he said “The Accident and Emergency Department was in a poor state before, but today it has undergone massive renovation.”

Speaking on power supply, he revealed: “With the solar power project on ground, UPTH will soon enjoy 24-hour electricity supply. Our goal is to make UPTH a hub for medical tourism in the near future.”

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Ogoloma Fishermen Association Laud Okrika Chair On Grassroots Dev

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Fishermen Association of Ogoloma Community has commended the Executive Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Akuro Alfred Tobin, for his commitment to grassroots development and the empowerment of local fishermen.

The Association made the commendstion during a courtesy “thank-you” visit by members of the association to the council chairman, following the distribution of fishing equipment aimed at boosting productivity and livelihoods within the riverine community.

Speaking during the visit, Chief Tobin expressed gratitude to the fishermen for their show of appreciation, noting that their success remains a top priority of his administration.

He stated that the empowerment initiative through the provision of fishing canoes, nets, and hooks was designed to enhance economic activities and improve living standards in Ogoloma and other parts of Okrika.

“I am encouraged by your visit and your progress so far. This administration is committed to supporting our local fishermen to thrive. There will be a second phase of the human capital development programme, and we will do even more to uplift the fishing community,” the Chairman assured.

The Chairman reiterated his administration’s dedication to inclusive development, stressing that empowering local industries such as fishing is key to sustainable economic growth in the region.

Responding on behalf of the Association, its spokesperson, Elder Kaizer Kiniminabo, conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the council boss.

He acknowledged the impact of the empowerment programme on the fishermen’s productivity and welfare.

“On behalf of our matron, Hon. Linda Stewart Somiari, and Hon. Royal Ateke, we express our sincere gratitude to the Executive Chairman for his magnanimity and commitment to the well-being of fishermen in Ogoloma. We pray for the continued success of his administration,” Kiniminabo stated.

As a token of appreciation, the association presented gifts, including dry fish and other locally sourced items to the chairman, symbolizing their gratitude and support.

The visit highlights the growing collaboration between local authorities and community stakeholders in fostering development and economic empowerment across Okrika Local Government Area.

By: Michael T. Abraham