By Chioma Ohaneche
The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu has established a Cancer Health fund for indigent patients.
She made the announcement during an inspection tour of some upgraded and newly built facilities to mark her one year in office.
The Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu explained that the Cancer Health Fund would alleviate the plight of indigent Cancer patients who are overwhelmed by the high cost of treatment in the country.
Professor Ize-Iyamu said the management embarked on the infrastructure facelift as most facilities were in a dilapidated state which was not befitting for a tertiary health institution with a view in providing universal health coverage for its patients in the south-south zone.
She further stated that management increased the initial seventy-two chillers at the refurbished mortuary complex to four hundred and twenty chillers as well as provided a viewing room to monitor corpses.
According to her, management built an oxygen plant to resolve oxygen shortage In the hospital as well as provided a premium renal unit for those who want express dialysis services.
Professor Ize-Iyamu also hinted on plans to organize a three- day free medical outreach for five thousand people at its renovated comprehensive health centre in Udo, for cataract surgery, dental services, cancer screening and general health services.
Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the Hospital, Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo said the new oncology clinic was funded by the federal government who also donated one linear accelerator to the hospital to aid the treatment of cancer while the Japanese government donated a 160 CT slide Scan machine to the Radiology unit .
The facilities were commissioned by the Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Miss Daju Kachollom who commended the Chief Medical Director of UBTH for the achievements made so far since assuming office.
Represented by the Chief Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr Phillips Ugbodaga, she stressed that Professor Ize Iyamu had shown commitment in meeting the health needs of the people as well as making UBTH one of the best tertiary hospitals in the country.
Other renovated facilities inspected included Special Investigation Unit, Multi Faith Centre, dental complex, geriatric ward, paediatric out patient unit, pantry, main theatre as well as the construction of a multi faith complex and police post to boost security in the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director was also accompanied on the facility tour by her husband, who is an APC Chieftain , Pastor Ize-Iyamu, corporate clients and members of the management team.
