The Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Medical Centres are in Benin to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). They were led to Edo State Government House on Wednesday, on a courtesy visit to the State Governor, by the Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki.
During the visit, Obaseki formally thanked the visiting team for coming to grace the celebration of 50 years anniversary of UBTH.
Speaking during the visist, the chairman of the Committee of CMDs in Federal Medical Centres in Nigeria, Prof. Emem Bassey, said: “We are here to join our brothers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UBTH. But we also see it as an opportunity to benchmark ourselves. So we will go round the different hospitals and different health centres to see and learn from best practices.”
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) is a multi-specialty healthcare service provider in West Africa. UBTH is located in Ugbowo, Benin City and was established on May 12, 1973 following the enactment of an edict (number 12) of the Nigeria National Health Act.
UBTH From very humble beginnings as Midwest Medical Centre in 1971, was founded by Late Brigadier General-Samuel Ogbemudia, the then military governor of the state. The Midwest Medical Centre was the brainchild of Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia.
As the sixth of the first generation Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria, its establishment was to complement its sister institution, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and to provide secondary and tertiary care to the then Mid-Western Region and environs.
UBTH provides facilities for the training of a high- and middle-level workforce for the health industry. It spearheads research opportunities for lecturers in the university and others who study the burden of economic morbidity, as well as other research issues.
Through the Community Health Centres in Ogbona and Udo, and the General Practice Clinic that came on stream later, UBTH equally provides some avenues for primary health care to the immediate communities.
University of Benin Teaching Hospital offers internship training for medical professionals from various medical fields such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, Radiography, Dentistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, amongst other professions.
The concept of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital originated between Colonel Samuel O. Ogbemudia of blessed memory, the then Governor of the Midwestern State of Nigeria, and Prof. Tiamiyu Belo-Osagie.
The desire to establish a befitting medical center in the Midwestern Region of Nigeria was developed after the governor paid private visits to the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
A few months later, an Advisory Committee for the Midwestern Medical Centre was set up with Prof. Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas as Chairman. Other members of the committee included Prof. Tiamiyu Belo-Osagie, Professor Alex Eyimofe Boyo, and Mr. O. I. Afe, Secretary to the Midwestern Military Government and Head of Service.
Within the same year, the construction project of the hospital was awarded by the committee to Costain (Nigeria) Limited and was funded collaboratively by both the Government of the Midwestern Region and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Other prominent individuals who championed the establishment of the hospital from construction to opening were: Dr. Irene E. B. Ighodaro, Professor Glyn O. Philips, Dr. A. E. Ikomi, Dr F.O. Esiri, and Mr. J. O. Iluebbey.
The “Midwest Medical Centre” was renamed “University of Benin Teaching Hospital” in a budget speech by Colonel Samuel O. Ogbemudia in April 1972.
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital is led by Professor Darlington E. Obaseki. Darlington E. Obaseki is Professor of Histopathology and the 6th Chief Medical Director of the Hospital.
With Half a century of unwavering dedication, compassion and innovation, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has been a beacon of hope, healing and transformation for communities.
While celebrating 50th anniversary, the institution (UBTH) looks back on a journey filled with incredible milestones, triumphs and heart-warming moments that have shaped the hospital’s legacy.
From pioneering research and groundbreaking treatments to selfless service and boundless empathy, UBTH has touched countless lives, bringing healing and comfort to those in need.
While honoring its past and looking to the future, the institution’s management stands together in gratitude for the tireless efforts of healthcare stakeholders, who are heroes who have made this hospital a true testament to the power of love, care and humanity.
Recall that on November 23rd 2022, the board, management and staff of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) officially unveiled the logo of their 50th anniversary celebration
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has commended the staff and management of the hospital for their unwavering commitment, dedication, and hard work in providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of Edo State and Nigeria in the past 50 years.
Obaseki, at a dinner organised in honour of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Nigeria, at the Government House, Benin City, reassured the government’s continuous partnership and collaboration with the federal government-owned health institution to strengthen the health system and ensure quality health delivery to Edo people.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, reeled out the gains of the government’s reforms in the health sector, commending the medical centre for bolstering the government’s efforts at transforming Edo State into a health hub.
In his address, the Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki said, “On Friday, May 12th, we will be exactly 50 years and as we celebrate, my team and I took a critical and sacred decision to take the hospital to a greater height in the next 50 years so that in 50 years time, people will also celebrate us just as we are celebrating the founding fathers of UBTH.”
