FG To Audit UBTH As House of Representatives Committees On Health Institutions Set For Probe
By Simeon OSAJIE
The House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions on Tuesday expressed worry over the state of the affairs of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), particularly as it concerns the 2024 budget expenditure.
Briefing newsmen in Benin during an oversight function by members of the committee to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Patrick Umo, accompanied by Member Representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in Edo State, Hon. Billy Osawaru said the committee is set to open an investigation into the activities of the hospital following several issues in her book, which necessitated their visit.
Umo noted that the visit is not a witch-hunt but to perform its constitutional function and carry out a comprehensive audit of the 2023 and 2024 budgetary expenditure.
According to Umo, “So we are here to look at the book, we looked at the 2024 budget expenditure, the budget index, and we also looked at their projection for 2025.
“We have looked at the records, their IGR, we looked at the Drug Revolving Fund and the nominal roll of the institution.
“Our report will be out in due course, we have to make our evaluations, looking at the books that was submitted, the documentation, some are not as accurate as we would have expected.
“So our report will be out when we sit down as an enlarged committee. We will get back to the hospital and tell those areas where they need to improve and show them the areas of weaknesses and strengths.”
Going further, Umo who hailed the hospital for being one of the biggest tertiary health institutions in the country emphasized the need for management to step up in terms of infrastructure, in terms of emergency response, and the payment system.
He urged staff to work harder to meet the demands of their patients and, indeed, those who are in need of medical care.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions directed the Clerk of the House Dr. Yahaya Danzaria to invite the Chief Medical Director (CMD) who had served within the period 2023 and 2024 for clarifications.
