A New Era at University of Benin Teaching Hospital
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has entered a new chapter with the appointment of Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu as its Chief Medical Director. As the first female CMD in the hospital’s history, she has made it clear that her tenure will be marked by a commitment to infrastructure development, staff welfare, and an unwavering focus on healthcare excellence.
Ize-Iyamu took office amid widespread support from hospital staff and students, who celebrated her historic appointment. Her vision for the institution is rooted in a desire to improve public health outcomes across Nigeria, aligning closely with the national agenda for equitable and reliable healthcare.
In her inaugural address, she expressed deep gratitude to key figures who supported her appointment, including the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. She pledged her full dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to restore confidence in public institutions and ensure that healthcare is accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality.
Overcoming Challenges and Building on Legacy
Ize-Iyamu acknowledged the competitive nature of the CMD position and praised her predecessors, particularly the previous CMD, Prof Darlington Obaseki. She emphasized that the foundation laid by those before her is now her responsibility to build upon.
“I salute your efforts and sacrifices,” she said. “Each of you built bridges that brought UBTH to where it stands today. It is now my responsibility to strengthen those bridges and to build new ones toward a future of greatness.”
Her plan for the hospital includes focusing on clinical care, research, and leadership development. She envisions a patient-first culture that prioritizes shorter waiting times, safer surgeries, and more compassionate care environments.
Infrastructure and Collaboration
A major component of her strategy involves renewing the hospital’s infrastructure. This includes ensuring clean water, reliable power, resilient emergency services, and healing environments. She also emphasized the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Federal Government, Edo State, the University of Benin, professional bodies, philanthropists, alumni, industry partners, and the Nigerian diaspora.
“No CMD, however determined, can achieve this alone,” she stated. “UBTH is not its buildings, nor its machines. It is its doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, administrators, cleaners, students, and patients. If you wear a UBTH badge, you are part of the cure.”
A Message of Empowerment
As the first woman to hold the CMD position, Ize-Iyamu sees her appointment as a milestone for women in the medical field. She hopes her leadership will inspire young girls across Nigeria.
“As the first woman to serve as CMD of the UBTH, I stand not as an exception but as an example of what is possible when merit is sought and when opportunity meets with preparedness,” she said. “I carry this responsibility as a message to every girl child in Nigeria; there are no ceilings too high, no doors too heavy, and no dreams too distant when you strive to excel.”
Commitment to Staff Welfare
Throughout her speech, Ize-Iyamu stressed the importance of staff welfare, promising improvements under her leadership. She recognized that achieving her goals will require the collective effort of everyone associated with the hospital.
She concluded by thanking her colleagues, including those who had also pursued the CMD position. Their dedication to UBTH, she said, is deeply inspiring, and she looks forward to working alongside them for the continued progress of the institution.
With her leadership, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital is poised to embrace a future defined by innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in healthcare.