In few months time, the management and staff of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), will be rolling out their drums in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the hospital.
Chief Medical Director of the health institution, Prof Darlington Obaseki, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Benin City.
Prof. Obaseki said the hospital has lots of reasons to be happy in celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the busiest health institution in the whole of Nigeria.
He disclosed that besides the premier University College – University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, (UCTH), no other teaching hospital in the country is as large and well equipped as UBTH both in quality health care facilities and in terms of basic medical personnel, paramedics, paediatrics, amongst others.
The CMD stated that the institution has employed more than 10,000 direct staff and about 5,000 indirect staff much more than any Teaching Hospital in the country, thus tagging UBTH as the busiest hospital in Nigeria in terms of treatment of patients, referrals from other hospitals in the neighbouring states like Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Ondo, Bayelsa and many more.
He poured encomium on both the management, medical Staff and non-medical staff for always responding to all emergencies experienced in the Hospital.
Prof. Obaseki announced that as part of events to mark its 50th anniversary, the UBTH would be providing free training for responders on basic life support, free cancer screening and subsidised surgeries for members of the public.
He said because UBTH is not just Oliver Twist, the institution also carry out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), saying that the activities were designed to give back to the society for standing by the hospital for the past 50 years.
Besides, Obaseki announced that the hospital waived N84 million for indigent patients in 2021 and that over N100 million have also been waived for the same class of people in this outgoing year (2022).
Saying that the theme of the anniversary centers on “Advancing the Legacy of Quality Healthcare,” the CMD outlined a 50-year tripod projection revolving around infrastructure upgrade, comprehensive cancer care and comprehensive cardiology center.
A professor of Pathology, Obaseki further disclosed that the free training, which involves first responders like the members of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the police and drivers would be in December 2022.
While saying that the free cancer screening will take place in January 2023, Obaseki stated that the medical screening for top executives, including members of the Edo State Executive Council will take place in February, 2023.
He also revealed that subsidised surgeries are to take place in March before the anniversary celebration which will hold in May, 2023.
He said the famous medical institution built by the then Governor of the Midwest Region, late Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia, started as a 300-bedded hospital in 1973, which has grown to a 900- Beddings facility as at 2022..
Eulogising the founding fathers of the institution, Obaseki said: “If l have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants, that UBTH is a great tertiary multi-specialty.
“I make bold to say this morning that the successes and heights we have attained as a Teaching Hospital is because of the foresightedness and the labours of our founding fathers and heroes past. They set a solid foundation for us upon which every one of us that has come thereafter has built upon.
“l am convinced that on May 12, 1973 when this great institution was commissioned, it was already set on the path of greatness. That the hospital started as a 300 bedded facility was a pointer to greatness that awaits her.
“The structures are both sub and super, the vast expanse is situated upon and even the recuperative facility available (probably the only hospital with 18 hole golf Course in Africa).
“By geographical location, this hospital is located strategically to serve several states in the south-south, south-east and even south west.
“We have come a long way these past 49 years and have achieved a lot along this evolutionary journey. We are the first public hospital to set up a neonatal unit in this country, the first to commence Invitro fertilisation (IVF) in Nigeria and still sustaining the service.
“We are also the first to have a breakthrough in stem cell transplantation for the treatment of Sickle cell in West Africa with successful outcomes just to mention a few,” the chief medical director said.
“When his administration came into office five years ago, we immediately got to work and produced a document, Strategic Reform Plan”, which was reviewed when we got a renewal of our mandate.
“This was to guide us in our quest to position the hospital among the league of hospitals of international repute. The vision we are running with is, to be the leading provider of quality healthcare solutions in West Africa.
“To achieve this, we identified staff and patient satisfaction as critical indices. Having a strategic plan document has helped us to prioritize areas of resource allocation so far. We have been able to expand our range of specialised services.”
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