The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, FCT, has approved a new public relations policy authorising only the Chief Medical Director (CMD) to speak to the press.

The hospital said in a memo to all its departments that the new policy would improve the management of its public relations.

According to the memo, dated Dec. 24, 2008 and signed by Mrs K. M. Adebanjo, only the CMD of the hospital is authorised to speak to the press on issues about the hospital.

"Other principal officers and departmental heads must seek and obtain formal permission before speaking to the press or grant interviews, and must do so in the presence of the PRO for proper documentation," the memo said.

It, however, directed that union executives of the hospital who wish to speak to the press must do so strictly on union matters.

It warned that such comments should not contain references to the management of the hospital in any case.

It also directed that the hospital's public relations unit must be furnished with the programme of any activity relating to the institution for proper documentation.

It said that such information should include the speakers and invited guests and must reach the unit not later than 48 hours before the commencement of the event.

The memo warned the staff and union officials to desist from arbitrary use of the hospital logo.

"The hospital logo is a security documents and as such, no association should use it on any letter, document or invitation without prior authorisation."