The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Cancer Treatment Centre is now fully operational and providing advanced cancer care, including radiotherapy for patients who cannot afford treatment, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ida Ize-Iyamu, has said.

Ize-Iyamu disclosed this on Monday in Benin while speaking during the commissioning and handover of a new emergency ambulance to the hospital.

She described the cancer centre as a world-class facility operating at full capacity and one of the largest of its kind in Nigeria.

According to her, the centre is one of only three such facilities in the country and has been equipped with modern technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

She said patients from low-income backgrounds can access radiotherapy through the Cancer Health Fund, an initiative approved by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, under the Federal Government’s health agenda.

“This means that if you are poor, you can receive radiotherapy at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital,” she said.

The CMD identified the centre’s equipment as including a linear accelerator and a 16-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner.

She explained that the CT scanner is used to obtain detailed images of a patient’s body and simulate cancerous lesions before targeted radiotherapy is administered.

Ize-Iyamu said the facility had established itself as a leading cancer treatment centre in Nigeria’s South-South region and expressed confidence that cancer care could be significantly improved through the centre.

She also described the newly donated ambulance as a “walking theatre” because of its capacity to provide emergency medical interventions while transporting patients.

According to her, the ambulance would improve the hospital’s ability to evacuate trauma victims from accident and emergency scenes while providing critical care before they arrive at the hospital.

She expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu’s administration for supporting the hospital and pledged that the ambulance would be put to effective use.

The CMD also commended Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, for facilitating the donation and acknowledged the federal government’s continued support for the institution.

Idahosa, who presented the ambulance on behalf of the Federal Government, praised the hospital’s management for its contribution to healthcare delivery in Edo State.

The deputy governor said he had been involved in efforts to secure the ambulance since his time in the House of Representatives and called for additional projects and modern medical equipment for UBTH.

He described the hospital as strategically important and said further investment in its facilities would expand access to essential healthcare services for residents.

Idahosa also expressed appreciation to the hospital for the medical care provided to his late mother, Madam Esther Imaguomwanruo Idahosa, before her death.

While acknowledging the challenges facing the more than 50-year-old institution, Ize-Iyamu said the problems were surmountable with sustained support and investment.