By Davies Iheamnachor

PORT HARCOURT: The Federal Government of Nigeria has endorsed the creation of a Health Endowment Fund by the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, to boost healthcare delivery in the institution.

The Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, said the Fund is a pivotal move to enhance healthcare delivery and manpower development in Nigeria, amid ongoing sector challenges.

Pate spoke at the 45th Anniversary Celebration of UPTH on Thursday in Port Harcourt, with the theme: “Repositioning for Excellent Healthcare Delivery, Medical Innovation, and Manpower Development.”

The Health Minister, who was represented at the event by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, Director, Federal Medical Centres Department, commended the hospital for its state-of-the-art specialised facility that delivers a broad spectrum of services aligned with international standards.

Pate stressed that a strong healthcare system forms the bedrock of national development and social stability, urging other institutions to adopt UPTH’s approach, which integrates cutting-edge research and modern medical technologies to elevate patient care.

He said: “We in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare therefore stand fully behind this bold initiative, we view the Endowment fund not only as a financial mechanism, but also as a symbol of institution’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and leadership in healthcare.

“It is a model that other tertiary hospitals across Nigeria must emulate.”

However, the Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof. Henry Ugboma, traced the hospital’s evolution from a modest cottage facility to a full-fledged tertiary institution.

Ugboma said the hospital has increased its bed capacity to over 1,000, and there is a plan to expand its services.

He noted its plans to be healrh of global standard cannot be executed by funding from the Federal Government alone, appealing for public contributions to the Endowment Fund to sustain the high-quality services now available.

Ugboma said: “Several clinical and medical breakthroughs with testimonies from beneficiaries have been recorded.

“Healthcare professionals, Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists have delivered their expertise, separate services and the management have launched a five-year strategic plan for the hospital as a roadmap to ensure maximum productivity.”

Meanwhile, in his keynote address on behalf of Dr. Awele Elumelu, Co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Osakpamwan Imasogie, CEO of Avon Healthcare Limited, hailed UPTH as a shining example of a compassionate healthcare institution.

He deemed the anniversary theme particularly relevant as global health systems grapple with the lingering effects of COVID-19, which highlighted critical deficiencies in infrastructure and skilled personnel that demand immediate action.