Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), has said a total of 401 staff was employed by the hospital to boost its workforce and renders effective healthcare service delivery to healthcare seekers.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu disclosed this while marking her 180 days in office as the CMD of the institution.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu said though she assumed the office of CMD six months ago, the nationwide industrial actions by the national bodies of both the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) took four months out of it leaving two months.
Ize-Iyamu said within the two months, she was able to achieve a milestone for the hospital through determination, discipline and strategic focus of management, supported by the resilience and dedication of the staff who refused to allow temporary constraints to define their trajectory.
While saying that she inherited N7 billion debts from her predicessor which almost crippled the operations of the hospital, said the hospital under her watch with the acronym UBTH-CARES, has been able to revamp the institution.
She said despite the daunting challenges facing the hospital, it has continued to provide lifesaving interventions through free and subsidized programmes, including cancer care, emergency caesarean sections, and dialysis support under the Renewed Hope agenda for Health by the federal government ably led by president Bola Tinubu.
The CMD added that the hospital has also established an Indigent Patients Fund to assist the poor in accessing essential medical care, and that the hospital remains actively seeking partners and donors to expand its reach and impact of the fund.
She maintained that through these initiatives, UBTH reaffirms its unwavering commitment to compassion, inclusion, and healthcare for all, ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of circumstance.
While thanking the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo for his pledge of N2.5 billion Ultra-Modern and purpose built brand new Paediatric Complex for the children, said the gesture is indeed remarkable and unprecedented.
She also commended the former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen for building and donating a Golf Course house for the hospital.
She further called on well meaning Nigerians to donate freely to the institution so that it can thrive and serve the people better noting that, government alone should not be left to shoulder the responsibility of providing for the hospital but citizens can still assist.
The first female CMD of the hospital said the hospital is no longer merely coping; it is growing, evolving, and raising the bar for patient care, training, and institutional excellence adding that, each milestone they have achieved reflects not only progress but a steadfast commitment to the people they serve and the lives they touch.
