Patients visiting the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) may soon feel some relief in their pockets, as the hospital management rolls out a series of reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
The Chief Medical Director, Professor Chituru Orluwene, disclosed the developments while marking his first 100 days at the helm — and the changes are wide-ranging.
Lower Fees, Better Feeding A dedicated committee has been set up to review and slash hospital charges, with mortuary fees among those being reviewed downward. For admitted patients, a subsidised meal programme now provides three square meals a day at just ₦5,000 — a move designed to ease the financial burden on families during what are often already difficult times.
Cleaner, Safer Facilities The Accident and Emergency unit is undergoing renovation, while months of intensive sanitation and fumigation exercises have significantly brought down the hospital's longstanding mosquito infestation problem.
Smarter Systems, Bigger Services On the administrative side, UPTH has deployed an integrated health management and information system to plug revenue leakages and improve efficiency. Seven specialised committees have also been inaugurated to drive expansion into critical areas including kidney transplant, bone marrow and stem cell transplant, cancer care, infection prevention and control, emergency response, medical simulation, and medical waste management.
Road Fixed In what may come as welcome news for patients and visitors alike, the access road leading to the hospital has been rehabilitated — addressing a long-running frustration for those navigating the facility.
Professor Orluwene's first 100 days appear to signal an administration focused on tangible, ground-level improvements. Whether the momentum holds will be one to watch.
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