University of Uyo disowns media report on fake doctor

  

By TONY NYONG

UYO – The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, has denied media reports that one Usen Effiong, was apprehended by the internal security of the hospital and handed over to the police on Tuesday for pretending to be a medical doctor and consulted for the hospital.

The hospital said that the media report, that the fake doctor had been consulting and attending to patients in the hospital was ‘absolutely false’ as all the doctors and other categories of medical personnel in the employment  of the hospital are well trained and easily recognizable.

In a statement, yesterday by Director Corporate Affairs, S.O Williams, UUTH explained that the said Effiong was found loitering around the Out Patient Department of the hospital and was picked up by the university’s security and handed over to the police.

It said Effiong’s movement was suspicious even though he was wearing a ward coat, thereby giving people the fake impression that he was a medical personnel with the Teaching Hospital.

“The attention of UUTH management, has been drawn to the news item on the arrest of a ‘’fake medical doctor” at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo on March 26, 2013 by both print and electronic media. We wish to say that the contents of the news do not in any way represent the true position of what happened as the new casters did not bother to cross check and confirm the facts from the authorities of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.”

“However, for the purpose of putting the records straight and in order not to undermine the confidence of the members of the public, who have been turning out in large numbers to access health services in the hospital, it is proper to inform all and sundry of the true position of the matter.

“On March 26, 2013, a young man, who gave his name as Usen Effiong was found loitering around the Out Patient Department of the hospital. His movement was suspicious even though he was wearing a ward coat, which would give anybody an impression that he is medical personnel.