By Nkechi Eze
In a proactive move to deepen institutional integrity, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Rivers State Office, has pledged to collaborate closely with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba, in the fight against corruption and related offences.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Chituru G. Orluwene, to the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Mrs. Ekere Usiere, at the ICPC State Office in Port Harcourt. In an official signed statement, the Commission’s spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, disclosed that the visit was a key step in establishing a preventive approach to governance and ethics within UPTH.
Leading a delegation of senior management staff, Professor Orluwene expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the importance of proactive measures. “We do not have to wait for fraud to occur before we act,” he said, likening the fight against corruption to “preventive maintenance” of medical equipment, where addressing potential issues early is far more effective than dealing with their consequences. The CMD formally sought ICPC’s expertise in training hospital staff to build a robust, ethical framework and preempt corrupt practices.
Responding, Mrs. Usiere commended the CMD’s forward-thinking approach, noting that staff training in corruption prevention is a vital first line of defence. She proposed a comprehensive “system study and review” of UPTH to identify systemic vulnerabilities and loopholes that could inadvertently encourage corruption. “A thorough system overhaul is not just beneficial; it is necessary to build a transparent and efficient institution,” she said.
The RACC also highlighted the role of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), describing it as “the ICPC’s eyes and ears within UPTH,” and reiterated the Commission’s unwavering dedication to preventing corruption across all federal institutions.
The meeting, held at the ICPC Rivers State Office conference room, was attended by senior operatives of the Commission and key management staff from UPTH. It represents a significant step toward embedding ethical practices, transparency, and accountability within one of the region’s leading healthcare institutions.
This partnership signals a shift toward preventive anti-corruption strategies in the healthcare sector, aiming to foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and proactive governance.
