The Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the hospital does not demand payment before treating patients in emergency situations.
Prof. Ikpeme stated this on Friday during a facility tour of the hospital by journalists in Calabar, noting that the policy aligns with the hospital’s commitment to saving lives first.
He strongly denied claims that emergency patients are rejected for inability to pay hospital bills, especially during emergency cases, stressing that indigent patients are often treated before discussions about payment.
Prof. Ikpeme said, “For emergencies, we do not insist on payment before treatment begins. Indigent patients are often treated before discussions about payment.”
“Our priority is to stabilise the patient and prevent loss of life. Let the public know that we do not insist on payment before treatment during emergency cases”, he emphasised.
