BY: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (CMD), Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme has promised to sustain the existing cordial working relationship between the management and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State council.
He stated this while speaking when the chairman and members of the newly elected Executives of NUJ paid him a courtesy/facility tour of projects executed within a period of time by the UCTH management team in the institution of Excellence.
Ikpeme re-emphasized that his team would work religiously to keep the cordial relationship going but advised that journalists should endeavour to balance their reports before going to the press.
“By so doing, the management team would retain the confidence it reposed on the journalism profession”.
He welcomed the newly elected Executives led by Comrade Nsa Gill on board the leadership ladder adding that “from the number of people I have seen, it is obvious that things have changed for good”.
Ikpeme advised him to maintain the tempo of leadership style him and his Exco members have adopted by carrying members along.
The CMD had earlier conducted journalists round some projects which his administration had put in place to change the face of the hospital.
Such department include the Radiology department, showcasing new digital machines to address cancer issues.
According to him, during the period under review, “issues that always take patients to India can be effectively and professionally handled here”.
He appealed to patients to always seek solution in the Teaching Hospital as the management team is doing everything possible to restore the lost confidence. Today, we can treat any patient not minding who is involved.
Some of the laudable projects include, Quality ServiceDelivery Service Upgrade, Innovations and New Clinical Interventions.
.They are Institution of Rewards and Consequences System, Laparoscopic (Minimal Access) Gynaecological Surgery, Spine Surgery, 4D Ultrasonography, Full Direct Digital Radiography (2 Machines).
Others are, Digital Mammography, Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan services, Digital Health Information Management System (Hospital fully networked, waiting for tests; Orthopedics Clinic already running), Central Phlebotomy Services and Interventional Radiology (Personnel Training ongoing, Equipment being accessed) to mention but a few.
It also offers “Blood Component Therapy Services, Molecular Laboratory Analysis for SARS COVID19, ELISA Techniques in Haematology, Chemotherapy Access Partnership for Cancer Treatment, Main Theatre: and New Operating Tables Installation of Second Direct Digital X-ray Machine
Earlier, the state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Nsa Gill, had lauded the management team of UCTH under the leadership of Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme for what they have so far achieved within a short space of time.
He was appealed to the Federal government to continue to assist the institution financially so that the team can change the face of the hospital.
Nsa assured him of the cooperation of the media especially in letting the world know about the new discoveries and improvement brought in by the management team.
He had reeled out a number of programmes designed to improve both the welfare and professionalism of members of the union and sought for a hand of fellowship whenever the need arises.