…As UPTH CMD Celebrates One Year
It was celebration galore over the weekend as the Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Prof. Henry A.A. Ugboma gathered stakeholders including his immediate past two predecessors, Dr Uriel Etawo and Prof Aaron Ojule to celebrate his achievements recorded within one year of being in charge of affairs in the health institution.
Speaking at the event held at the hospital’s conference room, the UPTH Board Chairman His Excellency, Muhktar Ahmed Anka poured encomium on the CMD, Prof. Ugboma.
He counted himself lucky for working with a workaholic like Ugboma whose dexterity and leadership quality, he noted, has turned around the hospital within a space of time.
The chairman promised to ensure that whatever that is due to the hospital from the federal government is given them in the interest of the hospital workers and patients alike.
According to him, “we shall endeavour to convince the federal authorities on the need for increased funding for the hospital to replace their obsolete equipments”.
The former deputy governor of Nasarawa State said he would not relent in his duty to seek perfection in all his endeavours in the hospital and appealed for support and cooperation from the management and staff to take the institution to the next level.
Chairman of the occasion and former CMD of the hospital, Chief (Dr) O.R. LongJohn said they are gathered to celebrate a year of good service to the people by Prof. Ugboma.
The chairman who was ably represented by Dr. Uriel Etawo recalled that the hospital started 39 years ago in a “low key but can boast of 500 beds now with improved healthcare services.
He informed that UPTH will be celebrating its 40 years anniversary next year. The former CMD however regretted the lost of three former CMDs including Dr. Mangete, and wish Prof. Ugboma God’s grace to take the hospital to higher level.
The CMD, Prof ugboma recalled his observation on assumption of office to include unsatisfactory service delivery occasioned by general work apathy, staff indiscipline, lack of motivation, dare financial stress, indebtedness and debt burden from drug revolving fund as well as other eleven revolving fund projects.
He said that abandoned projects littered everywhere as a result of lack of funds, poorly maintained hospital infrastructure and the environment. Prof. Ugboma made it clear that the decay observed was rapid, progressive and unchallenged even as mosquitoes fed fat on patients and staff alike.
The CMD used the opportunity to reel out his achievements within the period under review to include among others, laying of the foundation for sustainable development for UPTH, staff motivation, increased funding for schools, accreditation transparency, equipment upgrade, cordial relationship between management and staff as well as the host communities.
He also informed that over 200 persons were employed to decrease the unemployment market”.
Highlights of the event were the official opening of the Central Laboratory Sample Collection Unit, cutting of the anniversary cake, public lectures, unveiling of UPTH magazine and drama presentation by some departments of the hospital.
