In a bold move to revolutionize tertiary healthcare delivery and extend its benefits to underserved rural populations, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Chituru Orluwene, has introduced a forward-looking proposal aimed at decentralizing tertiary health services to grassroots communities.

The proposal was presented during the 2026 budget defence engagement with the National Assembly of Nigeria, where Prof. Orluwene outlined plans to establish model teaching hospitals across the three senatorial districts. The initiative, which seeks to bridge the healthcare access gap between urban and rural communities, has already received the buy-in of the Senate Committee on Health, given its immense potential to positively impact millions of Nigerians, particularly those residing in rural areas.

Prof. Orluwene disclosed this development while receiving officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare during a training engagement at UPTH. He emphasized that the Tertiary Health Extension Services initiative is designed to complement existing healthcare structures and ensure that specialized medical services are no longer concentrated solely in metropolitan centers.

The Chief Medical Director further expressed delight that the initiative aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes improved healthcare delivery across the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare value chain. According to him, decentralizing tertiary services will strengthen referral systems, enhance early diagnosis, and improve treatment outcomes nationwide.

Earlier in his remarks, the National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, Uche Emmanuel Nwokwu, congratulated the CMD on his appointment and expressed confidence in the new management team’s capacity to deepen collaboration with UPTH. He particularly highlighted opportunities in capacity building, infrastructure development, and the provision of facilities for tissue sample testing.

Dr. Nwokwu also assured the hospital of support in facilitating the participation of its nominee at the forthcoming conference of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology, scheduled to hold in Lagos State from 13th – 17th April 2026.

The delegation from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was at UPTH to conduct specialized training aimed at strengthening safety measures for healthcare workers and patients in cancer management. The programme, organized in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, focused on CHEMOSAFE protocols and improved pain management practices- critical components in modern oncology care.

The Tertiary Health Extension Services initiative marks a significant achievement in the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s healthcare sector, positioning UPTH as a strategic driver of inclusive, accessible, and high-quality tertiary healthcare delivery.

Mr. Kems Daniel-Elebiga

Public Relations Officer

UPTH.