By Fatima Saka
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has dismissed allegations circulating in a viral video about its emergency services, insisting that claims of inadequate medical equipment and poor power supply were misleading.
The hospital management said its Accident and Emergency Department had no record identifying the patient featured in the video, alleging that the individual disappeared after recording the content.
The position was contained in a press release dated Oct. 29, 2026, signed by Mr. Kem Daniel-Elebiga, Public Relations Officer, and Mr. Efere Azubalu, Head of the SERVICOM Unit.
UPTH described the video as an attempt to misinform the public and discredit the hospital’s management.
It also faulted claims that a sphygmomanometer, an instrument used to measure blood pressure, was unavailable at the facility.
According to the management, decisions on appropriate medical procedures and the vital signs to be taken rest with the attending physician rather than the patient or relatives.
It added that patients could have their vital signs checked at any healthcare facility, but such procedures were part of a broader medical assessment determined by qualified physicians.
On electricity supply, the hospital said power availability across its facilities had improved considerably in recent months following efforts by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chituru Godwill Oluwene, to secure inclusion in the Federal Government’s Energising Education Off-Grid Solar Project at the University of Port Harcourt.
However, it acknowledged occasional power fluctuations, particularly at night, due to weather changes, which sometimes necessitated temporary load shedding.
The management explained that critical areas were prioritised during such periods, while full power supply was restored shortly afterwards.
It attributed some disruptions to ongoing rehabilitation and repair works in certain sections of the hospital.
On manpower shortages, UPTH said the challenge was not peculiar to the health sector, noting that the Federal Government was making efforts to recruit more healthcare workers.
It added that the hospital was following due institutional verification and regulatory procedures to address its staffing gaps.
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The management reaffirmed its commitment to providing healthcare services, training and research, while urging journalists and members of the public to verify information before circulating allegations.
It also encouraged individuals with concerns to engage the management directly, assuring them of prompt responses to genuine complaints.
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