The Management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH has initiated plans to establish an Infection Outbreak Situation Room to strengthen institutional preparedness, coordinate emergency response and enhance infection prevention measures following the Federal Government's confirmation of an imported Ebola disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 

The Chief Medical Director of UPTH, Prof. Chituru Godwil Orluwene announced the proposed initiative following a strategic meeting with the hospital's Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship (IPC/AMS) Committee. He charged members to deploy their professional expertise, technical knowledge and multidisciplinary experience towards strengthening the hospital's capacity for early detection, risk assessment, infection prevention and coordinated emergency response.

Prof. Orluwene described the assignment as a matter of national public health importance, calling for professionalism, patriotism, sacrifice and collective responsibility. He emphasised the need for preparedness driven by clear operational procedures, effective communication, institutional accountability and collaboration with relevant public health authorities. He also urged members of the public to remain calm, practise regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed cases, and rely on verified information from authorised health agencies.

According to Kem Daniel-Elebiga Head, Media & Publicity, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, the CMD assured the public that UPTH would work with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Rivers State health authorities and other relevant stakeholders to support surveillance, preparedness and response activities. He emphasised the importance of healthcare workers maintaining a high index of suspicion, promptly reporting suspected cases through established channels, following approved infection prevention and control protocols, and ensuring appropriate isolation and referral arrangements in line with national guidelines. 


Earlier, the Chairman of the IPC/AMS Committee, Prof. Kennedy Nkporbu, and the Committee's Technical Operations Head, Dr. Mary Alex-Wele, briefed Management on the hospital's preparedness level, ongoing public sensitisation activities and critical areas requiring intervention. Their presentation highlighted the importance of continuous staff training, adequate protective equipment, clear escalation procedures, effective triage, environmental hygiene and coordinated communication in strengthening institutional readiness for infectious disease emergencies.

The proposed Situation Room builds on Prof. Orluwene's earlier administrative interventions to strengthen infection prevention and control at UPTH. Shortly after assuming office, he inaugurated the IPC/AMS Committee and subsequently led a high-powered delegation to the Port Harcourt International Airport Zonal Office of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to explore strategic cooperation on preparedness for potential public health emergencies. These engagements reflect an administrative approach that prioritises early risk identification, inter-agency collaboration and proactive institutional planning.