By Sylvia Akpan
Management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has announced a ban on the use of mobile phones in wards, Accident and Emergency Resuscitation Area and other areas in the hospital.
The Management said the ban is geared to protect patients confidentiality and avoid disruption of hospital operations.
In a memo issued by the hospital management, the ban takes immediate effect and applies to the Accident and Emergency Resuscitation Area and all hospital wards.
It is believed that the hospital management decision is coming after concerns and criticism from the public about the hospital’s negligence on patients health and preventable deaths.
Last week, there was public uproar about how a Locum Radiographer’s negligence of duty led to the death of a patient. He was however, sacked by the hospital management.
READ ALSO: Cross River: UCTH Sacks Locum Radiographer Over Negligence And Death Of Patient
The hospital authorities in a memo dated 28 January, 2025 and signed by Dr. Innocent Abang, on behalf of the Chief Medical Director Professor Ikpeme Ikpeme, stated that the decision was necessitated by the consistent abuse of the previous privilege, which allowed relatives to use their mobile phones in those areas. The privilege they say resulted in abuse, unauthorized photography and videography of patients, private procedures, and hospital facilities.
“We urge all patients’ relatives to cooperate with our staff to ensure compliance with this directive. “
The ban is expected to be strictly enforced, with hospital staff instructed to confiscate mobile phones from relatives found taking photos or videos in the restricted areas, while patients relatives have been advised to comply with the new directive to avoid any disruptions of their visits.
Leave feedback about this