The management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has reached out to public relations practitioners for collaboration to effectively publicize medical breakthroughs.
This appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
The UPTH delegation, led by the Chief Medical Director Prof. Henry Ugboma represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC)Prof. Datonye Alaisa, emphasized the need for better publicity for the hospital’s achievements.
Prof. Alaisa highlighted several complex surgeries recently performed at the hospital, including brain and spinal cord operations. He also noted the acquisition of a state-of-the-art pediatric operating room (KidOR), designed to meet pediatric care needs and enable the hospital to offer top-tier surgical care in specialties such as cardiothoracic, vascular, orthopedic, general pediatric, and ophthalmological surgeries.
Additionally, Prof. Alaisa mentioned that the hospital’s kidney transplant center is approximately 85% complete, with operations expected to commence by October 2024.
He says the visit is aimed at informing public relations practitioners and seeking their collaboration in raising awareness about UPTH’s accomplishments, thereby changing the publics narrative on the state of the hospital.
In response, the Chairman of NIPR, Francis Asuk, expressed the institute’s readiness to collaborate with the hospital. He assured UPTH of their commitment to creating awareness about the hospital’s breakthroughs, ensuring that the right narrative is communicated to attract the needed attention and support.
The UPTH management team of CMAC Prof. Datonye Alaisa, Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee for Training; Prof. Datesima Altride, Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee for Services; Dr. N.E. Nkoyo, Dr. Jane Obi Thomas, Director of Laboratory Services, and the Public Relations Officer Meni Elehba were also at the meeting.
-Elabha A. Meni
