His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki paid a working visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital recently to inspect the facilities on ground for the management of Covid-19 patients.

Speaking with the press immediately after the inspection, the Governor stated that he was impressed with what he saw on ground and how the Management of the Hospital has been able to directs the affairs of the Hospital thus far.

His Excellency the Governor was shown the Isolation centre, the Holding ward, the Intensive care unit with dedicated Ventilators at the A&E complex and also the PCR laboratory where the testing of COVID-19 would be done.

As a mark of the excellent cooperation and collaboration existing between the Edo State Government and the Hospital, the Governor promised to immediately set in motion machinery for the building and equipping of an Isolation ward in the Hospital to be delivered soonest.

In his response,the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki commended the Governor for his leadership role and effort in steering the State COVID-19 Committee.

The President of the Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele paid an unscheduled visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital on the 24th April, 2020 as part of the Commonwealth Medical Association’s mission to access how institutions are faring in terms of their preparedness to combat the COVID-19. The visit was also to show the Association’s commitment to support governments and their institutions especially in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The President of the Association was conducted round the hospital facility by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki and other Management Staff.  Dr Enabulele inspected the Isolation Centre including the holding ward, the 2 bedded Intensive Care Unit with dedicated Ventilators, the PCR Laboratory (where COVID-19 tests are to be carried out) amongst other places relevant for the management of COVID-19. He also ascertained the level of compliance in terms of availability and usage of Personal Protective Equipment by health workers especially those in the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 in the hospital.

In his remark after the tour, Dr Enabulele stated that he was impressed with  what he saw on ground and the commitment of both management and staff of the institution. He commended the Management of the Hospital for   taking the bull by the horn and doing what was necessary under the prevailing circumstance. He used the opportunity to call on both Federal and State government to increase support in terms of men and material for the institution being a reference Centre.  He canvassed for more tangible support for the hospital from the Federal Ministry of Health and the State Government noting that majority of what the hospital has done has been from the Management’s own initiative and internal resources.

Speaking further, he encouraged the Chief Medical Director and his Management team to sustain the good work and invited some other institutions to come around and see what UBTH has done with regards to effective management of resources and creativity which they may wish to replicate in their centres. According to him, it is necessary to display what is working in different centres. He promised to support the hospital in his official capacity.

The president of the Commonwealth Medical Association further reassured members of the public that,  the Association is already thinking of how to stabilize the health systems of member states  in the post COVID-19 era

University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has so far received three patients who have been confirmed positive with COVID-19.

The two surviving patients are currently being cared for by our dedicated staff in an isolation ward with restricted access.

Prior to confirmation of their COVID-19 status, some of our healthcare staff were exposed to these patients whilst using only Personal Protection (surgical face-masks and gloves). Currently all staff who were exposed to these patients are asymptomatic and they are being monitored closely according to current guidelines.

Further measures have been put in place to ensure that our staff are not unduly exposed to risks of infection with COVID-19 in the course of their providing care for patients who come to the hospital for various reasons.

Healthcare workers are on the front lines in this pandemic and therefore at a higher risk of being exposed than the general public. The management and staff of UBTH while ensuring standard precautions at all times to prevent the spread of this disease, crave the support and understanding of the general public as we fight this raging battle to contain and curb COVID-19.

Prof. D.E Obaseki
Chief Medical Director.