The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) is one of the 3rd generation Teaching Hospitals established by law in 1985 via Decree No. 10 of 1985, though it commenced operation in 1980. The mandates (statutory functions) of the hospital are:

 

To train and develop health manpower for the country especially in the catchment population of the Niger Delta region.

To provide and render specialized (tertiary) health services to the Nigerian populace.

To engage in health and medical research for the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge and practice of medicine.

 

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital is managed through a three-tier managerial system consisting - the Board of Management, Hospital Management Committee (HMC) and the Departments. Nearly 200,000 patients are seen annually in both outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as over 3000 surgical operations a year. Average bed occupancy rate in 12 months has risen above 70%. Besides offering medical services, the hospital tends to provide clinical education and training to students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Over the years, many research activities and results from its organized units have appeared on several major national and international medical and scientific journals