The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Rivers State Office, has pledged to collaborate with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) to combat corruption and foster a culture of institutional integrity.
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‎This commitment was solidified during a recent courtesy visit by the Chief Medical Director of UPTH, Prof. Chituru G. Orluwene, to the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) of the ICPC, Mrs. Ekere Usiere, at the Commission’s office in Port Harcourt.
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‎During the visit, Prof. Orluwene emphasized that the partnership is a strategic priority for his administration. “We do not have to wait for fraud to occur before we act,” he stated, likening the fight against corruption to “preventive maintenance” in medical practice. He requested the Commission’s expertise in training hospital staff to establish a robust ethical framework and proactively mitigate risks.
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‎In her remarks, Mrs. Usiere commended the CMD for his proactive approach, noting that staff training is a critical first line of defense against graft. To support this objective, the RACC proposed a comprehensive “system study and review” of the hospital’s operations.
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‎”A thorough system overhaul is not just beneficial; it is necessary to build a transparent and efficient institution,” Mrs. Usiere noted. She further highlighted the vital role of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), describing it as the Commission’s eyes and ears within federal establishments like UPTH.
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‎The meeting, which included key management staff from the hospital and senior operatives from the Commission, signifies a major step toward embedding ethical governance within one of the region’s primary healthcare institutions. The Commission reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to its mandate of preventing corruption across all federal agencies.