ICPC Rivers, UPTH Nurture Partnership to Combat Corruption Through Prevention

In a move to strengthen institutional integrity, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Rivers State Office, has pledged its commitment to collaborate with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba in the fight against corrupt practices and other related offences . 

This assurance was given recently 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 expressed his gratitude to the RACC for the warm reception; further explaining that the visit was a strategic priority following his assumption of office earlier in the year.

"Upon resumption, the ICPC was one of the foremost federal agencies I wrote to, seeking this engagement," Professor Orluwene stated. He articulated a clear vision of proactive governance, emphasising that the partnership is not intended to be reactive. "We do not have to wait for fraud to occur before we act," he asserted.

Drawing a parallel with clinical practice, he likened the fight against corruption to "preventive maintenance" of medical equipment, underscoring that preventing graft is far more effective than curing its ills. To this end, he formally sought the Commission's expertise in training hospital staff to build a robust, ethical framework and preempt corrupt practices.

In her response, Mrs. Usiere warmly welcomed the CMD’s proactive stance, commending his foresight in seeking a preventative alliance. She strongly concurred that staff training in corruption prevention is a critical first line of defence. Expanding on the collaborative roadmap, the RACC proposed a comprehensive "system study and review" for UPTH.

She explained that such an exercise is vital for identifying systemic vulnerabilities and loopholes that could inadvertently foster corruption. "A thorough system overhaul is not just beneficial; it is necessary to build a transparent and efficient institution," Mrs. Usiere noted.

The ICPC RACC highlighted the role of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), describing it as "the ICPC's eyes and ears within UPTH," and reaffirmed the Commission's unwavering dedication to its core mandate of preventing corruption across all federal establishments.

The meeting, held in the ICPC Rivers State Office conference room, signifies a promising step towards embedding ethical practices within one of the region's foremost healthcare institutions. It was attended by key management staff from UPTH and senior operatives of the Commission.