The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital’s administration has refuted an internet claim that it sent nursing moms and their infants home because of an power outage.
The hospital denied the claim but insisted that care is being given to children in all places allocated for their care.
In a statement released by the institution’s acting public relations officer, Elabha Meni, on Tuesday and sent to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the UPTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Henry, clarified the situation.
Although the administration acknowledged that the hospital was dealing with a power supply issue, it insisted that any decisions about the closure of a particular area of the hospital or the suspension of certain services would be serious ones that would be communicated through the proper channels.
The statement partly read, “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 newborns 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 paediatric units are receiving treatment in all our appropriately designated permanent and holding arcas 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 reiterate that the publication is false,” the statement remarked.
It noted that it was not the first time the authors of the said publication were churning out such fake news, adding, “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,” UPTH stressed.
