Rivers
UPTH Premium’ll Reduce Capiral Flight, Medical Tourism-CMD
Following the launch of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Premium facility, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), UPTH, Professor Henry Ugboma, has said the newly launched UPTH Premium would drastically reduce capital flights and medical tourism in the region.
Ugboma, who spoke at the unveiling of the state-of-the-art facility located in UPTH complex, said the new hospital is of same standard with any hospital overseas.
He stated that the idea of UPTH Premium was birthed by a quest to face the challenges faced by people who want to seek specialized medicare abroad, who goe through so much and the huge financial implications.
“The problem associated with moving patients from here to outside state or country is a major issue. So, we took it upon ourselves and consulted with the board, and we agreed to map out projects that will benefit our people, things that are affordable, achievable and to reduce capital flight and medical tourism.
“This project was one of them and we are happy today that we have achieved it”, Ugboma said.
The CMD commended the hospital’s board and their partners for keying into their dream of birthing a world-class medical facility to attend to specialized healthcare needs of the people.
He disclosed that the facility would run on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
“I thank my board for making it possible, because without your support we won’t be able to achieve this. We thank the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that listened to us to put up this facility and the manager of the facility, Dr. Teinye Isokariari, who is also our product here, for envisioning into our dream and to have come out with this project.
“Public Private Partnership is the way to go and that’s why we brought in Patricare. We gave them this infrastructure and they gave the final torch”, he added.
The Chief Medical Dirrctor emphasized that the new hospital does not diminish the existing teaching hospital, but would rather serve as a feeder to the new facility, while also assuring that the hospital is cost effective with all expertise intact.
“We have two systems here: the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and UPTH Premium. Their cost can’t be the same, but what we have here can accommodate everybody.
“What we have here is like what you have outside the country, but definitely this is cheaper when you consider your flight ticket and all that.
“You have all the expertise here even in the teaching hospital. UPTH would serve as a feeder to the new hospital.
“Patricare is also coming in with their team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who will impact positively on service delivery as all departments are complete”, he said
Earlier, the Managing Director of Patricare and Chief Executive Officer of UPTH Premium, Dr. Teinye Isokariari, said the driving vision behind the project is the desire to give back to his alma nater and to boost healthcare delivery in the region.
He explained that the new hospital aims to create a support system for the already existing structure in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
“I feel comfortable bringing this back home to my alma mater because UPTH has one of the greatest minds.
“What we are trying to do is to make sure that we bring our colleagues oversees back home and for UPTH, what we are doing is to enable the private sector pluck into the resources that UPTH already has. So, the drive is to make the hospital, state and region great.
“We have put together a facility that has about seventy beds, we have four theaters, an Intensive Care Unit, Special Care Units, laboratory and quite a good facility here.
“The idea is to provide care at the same level you can get anywhere around the world”, Isokariari explained.
He assured that the management would continue to partner with their consultants, the management of UPTH and others to ensure that the value the hospital provides is not just driven by financial gains, but patients satisfaction.
Also Speaking, Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said the State Government would partner UPTH Premium to ensure that it delivers on its objectives.
Represented by the Head, Rivers State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems (RSEMSAS), Dr. Sylvanus Ojums, Oreh said the State would partner the hospital because the services to be rendered there are for the benefit of Rivers people.
The Commissioner also assured that the emergency ambulance service system would be available to carry patients to the hospital at no cost.
By: Chinedu Wosu
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso