FG Hails UBTH Outreach To 5,000 Edo Residents

The Federal Government has commended the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for expanding access to healthcare through a two-day free medical outreach.

The outreach reached about 5,000 residents of Udo and neighbouring communities in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo.

The commendation came from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Daju Kachollom, during the conclusion of the outreach on Thursday at the hospital’s revitalised Comprehensive Health Centre (CHC), Udo.

Represented by the Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, Kachollom described the initiative as a practical demonstration of efforts to take quality healthcare services closer to underserved communities.

She said the outreach and inspection of newly renovated facilities reflected deliberate investments in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to medical services for rural and vulnerable populations.

Kachollom particularly lauded the leadership of UBTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, noting that the quality of facilities and services showed a strong commitment to patient welfare and community health.

She also lauded the hospital for revitalising the CHC in Udo, saying the facility would continue to provide residents with easier access to healthcare long after the outreach ended.

The permanent secretary urged the hospital to sustain the gains through proper maintenance of facilities, effective use of equipment, workforce development and adherence to professional healthcare standards.

Earlier, Ize-Iyamu said the outreach underscored UBTH’s commitment to taking healthcare beyond the hospital walls and ensuring that residents in underserved communities received quality medical services.

She said the revitalised CHC would remain functional after the outreach, with doctors and other healthcare professionals available to provide continuous care for residents.

According to her, the hospital also commissioned a Dental Centre to improve access to oral healthcare, while a 7.5kVA solar power system was installed to support uninterrupted service delivery.

The CMD appreciated the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Edo Government, development partners and other stakeholders for supporting the hospital’s transformation initiatives.

Director of Clinical Services, Dr Philip Osho, said the outreach provided health education, medical consultations, screening services and minor surgical procedures for residents who might otherwise have limited access to care.

Beneficiaries described the intervention as timely and impactful, especially for residents facing financial and geographical barriers to accessing healthcare services.

Mr Osabuohien Edema said the outreach saved him the cost and stress of travelling to another location for treatment.

“I received treatment and drugs here without having to travel for medical care,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Favour Oghosa, said she had been unable to afford treatment in spite of being ill, adding that her children also benefited from the services provided.

She thanked UBTH for bringing healthcare closer to the community and easing the burden on families struggling with medical expenses.

The Iyase of Udo, Mr Patrick Igbinidu also commended the hospital, saying the community had not witnessed free healthcare services on such a scale in a long time.

“We are very happy that UBTH has remembered our people and brought healthcare to us here. Our people do not have to travel far before they can see doctors,” he said.

He urged residents to make proper use of the revitalised health facility and support efforts aimed at sustaining quality healthcare services in the community.

As part of the outreach, medical experts conducted health education sessions on major public health concerns, including prostate, breast and cervical cancers.

Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo, Consultant Urologist in the Department of Surgery, advised men not to dismiss urinary changes as normal signs of ageing.

He warned that symptoms such as weak urine flow, frequent urination and blood in urine could indicate serious health conditions.

Osaigbovo who is in charge of CHC, Udo said prostate enlargement could obstruct urine flow and, in some cases, be cancerous, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

NAN reports that the outreach, held from Aug. 12 to Aug. 13, recorded a large turnout of residents who received free consultations, medications, health education, eye and dental examinations, blood pressure checks and minor surgical procedures.

While the first day featured consultations, screening, treatment and surgeries, the second day focused on continued treatment and follow-up care for beneficiaries.

Patients who underwent surgical procedures were advised to return to the Comprehensive Health Centre, Udo, for further treatment and follow-up care where necessary.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)