The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, noted that the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Cancer Center is now fully equipped and delivering sophisticated cancer treatment, including radiotherapy, for impoverished patients.
Ize-Iyamu announced this yesterday while receiving a new ambulance provided by the federal government to improve emergency medical response at the hospital, Daily Trust reported.
The ambulance was a “walk-in theatre,” she said, which would allow medical workers to offer essential interventions while removing accident and trauma victims from event locations to the hospital.
She said the cancer center has sophisticated technology such as a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a 16-slice CT scanner that is used to model patients’ lesions before targeted radiotherapy.
It was not only a finished project, it was a working facility with people already receiving treatment, she noted.
“If you are poor, you can get radiotherapy at UBTH through the federal government’s Cancer Health Fund and Social Welfare under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope health agenda,” she added.
The fund, Ize-Iyamu claimed, had greatly decreased the cost burden of cancer treatment and made radiation more available to disadvantaged individuals.
She expressed gratitude to the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa for making the center and the ambulance possible, adding that residents were already feeling the impact of the projects. Government
She expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Idahosa and other stakeholders for their support for the facility.
Idahosa, who presented the ambulance on behalf of the federal government, said the facility was in line with plans to boost healthcare services across the country.
He stated, “I was able to bring the ambulance project to UBTH as a member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives. The budget was delayed in implementation and that was why the project was not delivered earlier.
Idahosa praised the UBTH management for their outstanding treatment to patients and expressed optimism that the new ambulance would enhance emergency services in the hospital.
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