BENIN CITY – The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has received a major boost to its clinical capacity as a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon, Mr. Emmanuel Eguare, on Tuesday donated a wide range of medical equipment and consumables to support patient care and improve working conditions for healthcare professionals.
Mr. Eguare, who serves as Clinical Director at NAAS General Hospital, Ireland, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), said the donation was motivated by his desire to give back to the institution that contributed to his professional foundation and to help address some of the challenges faced by doctors and patients due to the scarcity of essential medical supplies.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony at UBTH, Mr. Eguare commended the hospital’s management and medical personnel for their commitment and professionalism, noting that their remarkable achievements in the face of resource constraints inspired his gesture.
“This donation marks the first of many to come,” he said. “Please use the items to the very best for patients to benefit maximally. The hospital is close to my heart. This is only the beginning of my collaboration with UBTH.
We can do a lot together, and I believe we must embrace the Internet and virtual platforms to deepen partnerships and improve healthcare delivery.”
Receiving the items on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof. Stanley Okugbo, expressed profound appreciation to the donor for his generosity and commitment to the hospital’s vision of providing quality healthcare.
Prof. Okugbo noted that such interventions complement the hospital’s ongoing efforts to modernize its medical infrastructure, improve service delivery, and support staff performance, particularly in the surgical and emergency care units.
Also present at the event were Prof. Clement Osime, Consultant Surgical Oncologist; Dr. Irowa Omorodion, Consultant General Surgeon; and other senior medical officers who lauded Mr. Eguare’s contribution as timely and impactful.
The comprehensive list of donated items includes,
Laparoscopic consumables (Scratch Pads), Circular Staplers, Auto Suture Clamps, Laryngeal Masks (Airways), Laparoscopic Graspers, Armoured Endotracheal Tubes, PDS Sutures, Biopsy Punches, High Concentration Masks, Scalpels, T.E.D. Stockings, Arterial Cannulas, Blood Pressure Monitoring Kits with Accessories, Proctoscopes, Sigmoidoscopes, Suction Tubes, Engine Tubes, Drainage Catheters, Transchosomic Catheters, Mini Tracheotomy Sets, Steam Blades, Needle Holders, Fibre Plaster, Laparoscopic Caps, and various sizes of Surgical Mesh.
The donation, according to hospital officials, will be distributed across key departments to strengthen clinical services, especially in surgery, anaesthesia, and critical care units.
Mr. Eguare, who trained at the University of Benin before proceeding to the United Kingdom and Ireland for further studies and specialization, said he plans to establish a sustainable partnership framework between UBTH and NAAS General Hospital to promote professional exchange, training, and medical missions in the near future.
He emphasized that Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad have a role to play in bridging the gap in medical resources through targeted interventions, skill-sharing, and mentorship.
“I am one of the many Nigerian-trained doctors abroad who still feel deeply connected to our institutions back home,” he said.
“This donation is not charity, it is a partnership. UBTH has produced great minds, and together, we can continue to improve healthcare outcomes for our people.”
Hospital authorities described the donation as a significant contribution toward achieving UBTH’s goal of becoming a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, research, and training.
