From Judex Okoro, Calabar

The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Board of Management have hailed the
Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, for his innovative policies and prudent management of COVID-19 funds.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after inspection of facilities at the hospital to end their Board meeting held in Calabar, the Board Chairman, Col. Muhammadu Abdu (rted), attributed the developmental strides and steady progress of work to cordial working relationship between his board and the office of Chief Medical Director.

Col. Abdu, who described the CMD as “a focused and consummate professional,” stated that the entire board was impressed was impressed with the restorrative policies of the present administration aimed at imporving the status of the instituion.

“We commend the Prof. Ikpeme-led management team for the judicious expenditure of the government’s COVID-19 funds as
has given a new perspective of quality and efficient service delivery.

“You can see that the hospital has effectively utilised the funds in standardising the Infectious Disease Isolation Centre with battery-powered ventilators; radiology department with computerized CT Scan machines and digital x-ray machines; Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with electrically-controlled air mattresses, and automated operating machines for cardiac surgeries; and the molecular and research laboratory. Covid-19 was indeed a blessing in disguise.

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“Since the inception of Prof. Ikpeme as CMD, truancy, absenteeism, theft, vandalism, unethical practices and other untoward behaviours hitherto rife in the hospital had become a thing of the past.

“There is a complete overhaul of every facet of the hospital and it has since witnessed high patronage from far and near including neighboring Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea. With the services offered, the medical institution has drastically reduced overseas medical tourism through conduct of high-powered operations like brain and cardiological surgeries,” he stated.

The Board Chairman also commended the UCTH administration for giving workers welfare priority with the completion of the 33-year-old 56 suites for house officers, adding that he has justified the confidence reposed in him whme we selelcted him three-and-half years ago.

Also speaking, a Board Member and Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Victor Ansa, said the transformation and rebranding going on in UCTH is unprecendented, noting that as a training ground for medical professionals, the institution has has displayed commitment to improving standards in infrastructure, equipment and personnel.

According to the Provost, with “the improvement in quality services, the College of Medical Sciences has received accreditation for about 23 departments, with just two pending the accreditation committee’s next visit, with increased number of admissions, even from students of other nationalities.”

Describing UCTH as “a 21st century medical facility”, another Board member and Chairman, Hospital Services Monitoring Committee, Dr. Chris Enoch, said through the visionary leadership of the present CMD, the hospital has tremendously improved its clinical departments, administrative functions and enhanced the overall development of the institution.