New Oncology Centre Opens At UBTH

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has commissioned a new Oncology Centre at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), marking a major step in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen cancer care in the country.
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‎The commissioning, which took place on Thursday, was led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

He was joined by the Minister of Finance, Chief Wale Edun, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris and the Executive Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.

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‎Other dignitaries present at the event included the Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Chief Gani Audu, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, traditional leaders, and other senior officials from the Health Sector.
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‎Professor Ali Pate described the UBTH Centre as part of the first phase in a national network of 10 oncology and diagnostic units. The Centres aim to serve about two thousand (2,000) cancer patients and handle around three hundred and fifty thousand (350,000) diagnostic cases each year.
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‎Minister of Finance, Chief Wale Edun, expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration’s vision, saying it is now the responsibility of all stakeholders to sustain progress on health infrastructure.
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‎The Executive Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo noted that the Centre is not just for Edo residents, but for the entire South-South region, expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. He also assured that Edo State remains committed to supporting health development now and in future years.

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‎On his part, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor Darlington Obaseki, highlighted the rising cases of cancer and the impact it has had on the hospital’s mortality rate. He explained that the new Centre was built to provide full cancer treatment services with modern equipment, praising the partnerships that made the project possible.
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‎The UBTH Oncology Centre is one of three newly commissioned facilities in Nigeria. Others are located in Enugu and Katsina. Together, they are expected to serve thousands of cancer patients and support the training of hundreds of Health Workers across the country.