The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), in partnership with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), on Monday, 19th October, successfully conducted a free medical outreach in Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
This initiative formed part of the activities commemorating the commissioning of the Chief Dr. Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea Medical Centre.
Organised to honour Chief Dr. Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, Chairman and Managing Director of Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited, the free medical outreach provided residents of Ewatto and surrounding communities with vital healthcare services entirely free of charge.
Beneficiaries received free medical consultations, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, breast examinations, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings, eye examinations, dental services, and laboratory investigations.
Additionally, prescribed medications and eyeglasses were distributed at no cost, based on medical assessment and availability.
The outreach coincided with the commissioning of the 62-bed ultramodern medical centre, established by Chief Dr. Ikpea to improve access to quality healthcare in his hometown and surrounding communities. The facility, also referred to as the Ewatto Annex of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, is equipped with modern healthcare infrastructure intended to support the delivery of essential and specialist medical services closer to the people.
Speaking, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. (Mrs.) Idia Ize-Iyamu, represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr. Emmanuel Osaigbovo, commended Chief Dr. Ikpea for his commitment to improving healthcare access through the establishment of the medical centre.
The CMD noted that investments of this nature demonstrate the impact of purposeful philanthropy and the importance of engaging well-meaning Nigerians in complementing government efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery. She emphasised that collaboration among government, healthcare institutions, private organisations, and individuals remains essential to addressing gaps in healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu also highlighted the need for sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, adequately trained personnel, essential medical equipment, and effective management systems to ensure that facilities of this nature deliver lasting benefits to the communities they serve.
At the commissioning ceremony, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, commended Chief Dr. Ikpea for his investment in healthcare infrastructure.
They underscored the importance of private-sector participation and philanthropic initiatives in complementing public investment and expanding access to quality healthcare.
The establishment of the medical centre represents a significant investment in community healthcare, with the potential to reduce the burden of travelling long distances for medical attention and improve access to essential diagnostic, emergency, and clinical services.
Through its participation in the outreach, UBTH reaffirmed its commitment to promoting preventive healthcare, strengthening community engagement, and supporting initiatives that advance access to quality healthcare and improved health outcomes.
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