By Fatima Saka
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda have significantly boosted healthcare delivery at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), following the provision of a cancer treatment centre and a state-of-the-art 160-slice CT scan machine, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, has said.
Speaking on Saturday after an interface with the Senate Committee on Health, Chaired by Ipalibo Harry Banigo Prof. Ize-Iyamu, however, warned that critical challenges,especially acute manpower shortages, high electricity costs and delays in the release of funds, continue to undermine effective service delivery at UBTH and other federal teaching hospitals across the country.
She described the mass exit of medical professionals, popularly known as the “Japa syndrome,” as the most pressing concern facing tertiary healthcare institutions.
“The problem is not isolated to UBTH alone; it cuts across all teaching hospitals. Medical personnel are leaving in droves, making recruitment extremely difficult,” she said, adding that the hospital has proposed granting waivers to retired but highly experienced medical professionals to temporarily return to service while younger doctors are being trained.
According to her, the manpower challenge is worsened by the fact that many newly trained doctors leave the country soon after qualification, creating a recurring gap in the health workforce.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu also identified electricity supply as a major financial burden on the hospital, noting that the Senate Committee advised UBTH to engage the Rural Electrification Board to reduce dependence on diesel-powered generators and cut energy costs.
She further lamented delays in the release of overhead and capital project funds, expressing optimism that the Senate Committee’s intervention would help ensure timely disbursement going forward.
Despite the challenges, the UBTH CMD said the hospital has recorded major milestones through direct federal government interventions. She disclosed that UBTH received a fully equipped cancer centre, commissioned in July 2025 by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare on behalf of President Tinubu, making it one of only six such centres nationwide.
She also revealed that UBTH is one of three hospitals in Nigeria to receive a 160-slice CT scan machine, commissioned in November 2025 through the collaboration of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Japan.
“These are clear demonstrations of the President’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system,” she said, thanking President Tinubu for what she described as “giant strides” in the sector.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu noted that recent industrial actions negatively affected patient turnout and internally generated revenue, but expressed relief that the Federal Government has resolved the disputes and normal services have resumed.
Looking ahead, she said UBTH is being repositioned as a one-stop centre for comprehensive healthcare in the South-South, with a strong focus on oncology, diagnostic imaging and specialist care.
She disclosed that the hospital is intensifying community sensitisation to ensure indigent patients benefit from the federal cancer fund, adding that awareness campaigns are being carried out in communities, churches and public spaces.
The CMD also announced that the Edo State Government has pledged ₦2.5 billion for the construction of a children’s centre at UBTH, with plans to commence the project within the year.
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“We are planning projects that will impact children, women and men across all disease categories. UBTH is moving forward, and we are committed to delivering improved health outcomes for Nigerians,” she said.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu commended the Minister of Health and Social Welfare and members of the Senate Committee on Health for their support and engagement, reaffirming UBTH’s determination to maximise recent investments for the benefit of patients across the region.
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