ICPC, UPTH partner to prevent corruption
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), Choba, to combat corruption through preventive measures.
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.
Leading a delegation of senior management staff from UPTH, Professor Orluwene said the visit formed part of his strategic priorities after assuming office earlier in the year.
“Upon resumption, the ICPC was one of the foremost federal agencies I wrote to, seeking this engagement,” he said, noting that the hospital intends to adopt proactive measures rather than wait for corruption cases to arise.
He likened the fight against corruption to preventive maintenance in medical practice, stressing that preventing misconduct is more effective than addressing it after it occurs. The CMD therefore requested the Commission’s support in training hospital staff to strengthen ethical standards and prevent corrupt practices.
Responding, Mrs. Usiere commended the initiative and described staff training as a critical first line of defence against corruption. She also proposed a comprehensive system study and review of the hospital’s operations to identify potential vulnerabilities and loopholes that could enable corrupt practices.
According to her, such an exercise would help strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the institution.
She further highlighted the role of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), describing it as the Commission’s internal mechanism for promoting integrity within government establishments, including UPTH.
The meeting, held at the ICPC Rivers State Office conference room, was attended by key management staff of the hospital and senior operatives of the Commission.
