….. Lists achievements within 180 days in office, recruited 401 new staff members
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Professor Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, has said she prepared extensively for her current role, a factor she credits for the significant achievements recorded within her first six months in office.
Speaking during a guided tour of projects executed under her leadership, which lasted over four hours, the CMD stated that despite numerous challenges including over ₦7 billion in inherited debts, a four-month industrial strike, and mounting electricity bills, the hospital has made measurable progress.
According to her, part of the inherited liabilities included outstanding payments to medical suppliers, oxygen providers, and other critical vendors.
She disclosed that UBTH currently faces a monthly electricity bill exceeding ₦130 million, in addition to a wage bill covering over 2,000 outsourced staff, highlighting the financial and infrastructural strains confronting the institution.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu also noted that a nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which began in November 2025, significantly affected UBTH’s operations, limiting full functionality to only two out of the six months under review.
Despite these setbacks, she said the hospital recorded notable strides in patient care, staff training, and institutional development through strategic management, staff dedication, and resilience.
Among the key achievements listed were improvements in clinical services, expansion of healthcare coverage, capacity building initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, community engagement, revenue enhancement, and strengthened partnerships. The hospital also recruited 401 new staff members to boost its human resource capacity.
She added that UBTH secured external support and sustained essential health services, including cancer treatment, emergency cesarean sections, and dialysis, in alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector.
The CMD expressed optimism that ongoing reforms and strategic initiatives would sustain the hospital’s growth trajectory and continued improvement in service delivery despite prevailing operational challenges.
