By Magnus Effiong
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery following the acquisition of modern medical equipment and upgrade of critical departments within the hospital.
Prof. Ikpeme said this during a facilities tour of the 850-bed capacity tertiary health institution where he showcased newly installed state-of-the-art equipment across several units. The tour culminated in media interaction with journalists.
The tour took reporters through the hospital’s medical library, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), main theatre, diagnostic sections, family medicine clinic and other strategic departments that have recently witnessed significant transformation.
Speaking, Prof Ikpeme said “With our new machines, we now do hip and knee replacements. We can replace your anterior cruciate ligament. We’ve got the equipment. We’ve got the personnel. We’ve got the training. And we’ve got the space.
“We do all types of surgeries. If your uterus is giving you a problem, we can take it out using a 1CM incision and cameras and telescopes. We can open your brain and take out the tumor. We can drain the muscle abscess just by using radiologic guidance. There are many, many things that we’re doing here.
“We have built a new department of emergency medicine which is a 406-bed capacity structure. It has its own trauma bay, it has a medical bay, it has a surgical bay, it has a male ward, it has a female ward. It has a children’s emergency. It has a six-bed ICU. It has a neonatal intensive care unit. And it’s got three large trauma theatres.”
Restating his resolve to reposition the hospital, the CMD said the hospital’s goal is to meet global standards in healthcare services, medical training and research, and that “The new facilities are aimed at improving patient care, enhancing medical education and creating a more conducive working environment for healthcare professionals.”
He explained further that “UCTH now has a total of 62 clinical and non-clinical departments in the hospital, and out of this, we have about 38 wards and clinics such as the male medical, female medical, male surgical, female surgical, male orthopedic, female orthopedic, therapy, ENT, pediatrics, pediatric surgical, pediatric medical, pediatric oncology, labour ward, antenatal ward, postnatal ward, isolation center, neurological stroke center, which is a ward and a clinic built on its own, and other.”
According to him, the upgraded medical library is now equipped with modern digital learning tools and facilities that would support research activities for medical students, resident doctors and consultants.
At the Intensive Care Unit, Journalists were shown advanced life-support machines and monitoring devices designed to improve emergency response and critical care management.
The CMD also highlighted improvements at the hospital’s main theatre, noting that the installation of modern surgical equipment would boost the capacity of medical personnel to handle complex surgical procedures with greater efficiency.
Prof. Ikpeme stressed that the management would continue to pursue reforms and infrastructural development despite prevailing economic challenges in the country.
He commended the Federal Government and other partners for their support towards the growth of the institution and appealed for sustained collaboration to enable the hospital maintain high standards in healthcare delivery.
PillarToday reports that while some facilities were renovated, others were remodelled and upgraded, some of which were Dr Obal Adiaha Otu Female Medical Ward, Prof. Emmanuel Nwafor Uzoma Ezedinachi Male Medical Ward Prof. Edet Okon Nkposong Urology Clinic and Prof. Hannah Bassey Faal Ophthalmology Clinic
In her remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River state Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, expressed satisfaction with the level of transformation witnessed in the hospital. She described the facilities as “impressive and comparable to what is obtainable in advanced medical centres the world over.”
The visit formed part of efforts by the hospital management to strengthen public confidence and create greater awareness about ongoing improvements within the institution.
