The Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has praised the Guardian Newspaper for its investigative report on poor service delivery at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The report, conducted by South-South Acting Bureau Chief Ann Godwin, attracted public attention and led to significant support for patients, including medical bill payments by Rivers artist Burna Boy.
National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Prince Wiro, highlighted the importance of the investigation in holding public officers accountable. He emphasized that the media, as the fourth estate, plays a crucial role in exposing issues and prompting action.
The Centre urged UPTH to investigate the complaints highlighted in the Guardian’s report and focus on improving service quality and hygiene rather than demanding a public apology from the media outlet. They stressed that customer feedback is essential for enhancing service delivery at the institution.
Wiro encouraged UPTH to commend the media for their beneficial work instead of criticizing them. He also urged the Guardian Newspaper to continue its efforts in investigative journalism to ensure accountability among public office holders and institutions.
Additionally, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) commended Rivers State University for its prompt response to a media report about a student assault incident. The group’s Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, suggested that UPTH could learn from RSU by using media reports for internal development and improvement. Ann Godwin, who won the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism award in 2022, exposed the issues at UPTH through her detailed report on June 1st.