Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has denied ordering all mothers with new-borns in its pediatric unit to leave the hospital due to prolong electricity outage.
The hospital said despite the temporal cut in public electricity supply from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and the national grid, patients in its pediatric units are receiving treatment and care in all its designated permanent and holding areas.
Acting Public Relations Officer, UPTH, Elabha Meni, in a statement made available to our correspondent in Port Harcourt, also denied referring patients out to other hospitals.
Meni also advised patients, their relatives and members of the public to ensure the true situations surrounding their care and seek clarification on any issues from appropriate quarters.
The statement read in parts, “The attention of the Management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has been drawn to a currently circulating online publication claiming that the hospital has ordered all mothers and new-borns to leave the hospital due to a power blackout.
“The UPTH management wishes to set the records straight and emphatically state that there is no iota of truth in the said publication. The closure of any section of the hospital or suspension of services are weighty decisions that the hospital management will communicate through appropriate channels.
“The patients in our pediatric units are receiving treatment in all our appropriately designated permanent and holding areas for their care, despite the temporal cut in public electricity supply from the distribution company and national grid.
“It has never been our practice to refer patients out without appropriate protocols, in view of our status as the apex centre of referrals for tertiary specialist care. We advise clients and relatives to ensure accurate reportage of situations surrounding their care and seek clarification on any issues from appropriate quarters.
“We solicit your support and understanding as we strive to provide excellent tertiary level care to all our patients and satisfaction to our stakeholders. We can be reached for further clarification, through the following channels: 08068612954, 07010207377.”
