Korede Abdullah 
EDO, Nigeria – The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) says it is targeting 5,000 residents with free medical services during its ongoing outreach programme at the UBTH Comprehensive Health Centre in Udo, Edo State, as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare.
The UBTH free medical outreach includes cataract surgeries, dental care, cervical and prostate cancer screening, blood pressure checks and other essential health services for underserved communities.
Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, disclosed this on Wednesday during the second day of the outreach, which forms part of a facility tour and the commissioning of projects at the hospital.
Ize-Iyamu said the initiative underscores the hospital’s commitment to delivering quality and accessible healthcare while strengthening specialist medical services across the region.
She said recent infrastructure and service upgrades are aimed at making UBTH “a clinically excellent, technology-driven and people-centred institution.”
According to her, the projects include a 65-bed Accident and Emergency Complex, expanded mortuary, renal dialysis units, paediatric clinic, oxygen plant, 160-slice CT scanner, upgraded dental and oncology centres, and improved operating theatres.
The CMD described UBTH as a comprehensive tertiary healthcare institution offering specialist services in neurosurgery, oncology, dentistry, ophthalmology and renal care.
She also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for supporting the hospital’s ongoing transformation.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Daju Kachollom, the Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, commended UBTH for improving healthcare delivery.
He said the inspection tour provided an opportunity to assess completed projects, evaluate ongoing reforms and measure the impact of federal investments in the health sector.
Ugbodaga added that the projects at UBTH and its Udo Comprehensive Health Centre demonstrate how the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into improved healthcare services for Nigerians.
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