By Desmond Atu
The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has come under scrutiny following allegations of negligence, inefficiency, and unprofessional conduct at its dental clinic. Efio-Ita Nyok, a prominent social commentator, shared his unpleasant experiences, painting a disheartening picture of the hospital’s operations, including claims of a shut clinic, unavailable dentists, and irregular practices.
Nyok, who visited the dental clinic on two consecutive Mondays—30th December 2024 and 6th January 2025—alleged that he was met with a clinic that was effectively non-functional. He further criticised the facility for its lack of coordination and failure to provide services to patients, even questioning the rationale behind the clinic’s touted “special” status. The allegations raise concerns about UCTH’s service delivery and general administrative order.
Reacting to the claims, UCTH’s Corporate Affairs Unit issued a rebuttal, presenting dental clinic attendance records as evidence that the facility was operational on the dates in question. They insisted that their nurses wear name tags and challenged Nyok to provide the name of the staff member he interacted with. Additionally, the hospital clarified that they do not operate a patient call system and reiterated that Wednesdays are reserved for academic activities, limiting clinic appointments.
However, Nyok dismissed UCTH’s response as inadequate, criticising their highhandedness and deflection of accountability. He alleged that he received information from a nurse that contradicted their official statements and accused the hospital of dismissing patient concerns. He also referenced the clinic’s purported use of rough paper as a receipt, presenting photographic evidence to substantiate the irregularity.
Efio-Ita’s evidence forced the medical outfit to eat it’s own word as the damning evidence further sparked reaction from the public.
The controversy has reignited debates about the state of healthcare in Nigeria, with many calling for a thorough investigation into UCTH’s practices. Critics argue that the hospital’s reliance on technicalities, rather than addressing core complaints, demonstrates a lack of empathy and professionalism in handling patient concerns.
For Peace Gabriel, “My Sis looked better until she got to UCTH her case grew worse, confused doctors, confused test results, wrong medications and eventually DEATH took her to rest from all her troubles….
Weldone UCTH
Can I count how many loved ones have passed under your careless heartless watch??”
Richard Obase Odu, “We took our daughter there on admission and we returned with MALARIA”.
James Umera said, “When I took my dad there, 4th January 2021, they kept him without attention for a while. Thereafter, assigned student doctors to take care of him at about 10pm. The student doctors left him and went to sleep. Dad died the following day around 1am.
May God save us. I don’t know how the administration of the hospital goes to sleep peacefully, knowing that people are dying from their carelessness.”
While UCTH’s adoption of electronic medical records is commendable, Nyok’s case suggests that systemic lapses may be undermining its benefits. Observers have urged the hospital to strengthen internal processes, enforce professional standards, and improve communication with patients to restore public trust.
However, there were positive reactions notably from Dede Oputamuno, “Reading comments here, and I start asking myself if nobody in Cross River State has ever gotten a good treatment from UCTH. Truth is we always try to propel bad news and hide positives and gains, and that’s the challenge. UCTH has recorded tremendous success in surgical care, emergency care, paediatric care, Obstetric and Gynaecological care e.t.c, but no one ever comes to the media to talk about or appreciate the hospital. Even though i don’t work in UCTH, but I trained there as a medical student, and I know a lot of satisfied patients who have used the facility, but nobody has ever praised the hospital here in the media, and this our culture has to change for better. The hospital can have lapses, and a coordinated response to the management and UCTH Corporate Affairs I believe will bring about a successful outcome. Dear Nigerians, please lets do better in propagating good news with the same energy we use for negative news.”
This incident underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in public healthcare institutions. It remains to be seen whether UCTH will heed these calls or continue to deflect responsibility in the face of mounting criticism.
