Calabar hospital says emergency patients are not turned away for lack of payment
The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital has denied claims that it rejects emergency patients who cannot pay immediately. Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, the Chief Medical Director, emphasized that saving lives is the hospital’s top priority. He explained that indigent patients are treated first, with payment discussions coming later. The hospital also highlighted recent upgrades and support from the federal government.
Highlights
- Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme stated that the hospital does not insist on payment before treating emergency cases.
- Indigent patients are often stabilized and treated before any payment discussions take place.
- The hospital has upgraded many of its wards and now performs advanced procedures such as hip replacements and keyhole surgeries.
- A new Department of Emergency Medicine is being constructed to handle increasing patient numbers.
- Prof. Ikpeme thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Health for their support with infrastructure and medical equipment.
