16/09/2026
๐ง๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐๐ด ๐๐ฏ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ: ๐จ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ; ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐๐ด ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital, on Tuesday, 15th September 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Edo State, Hon. Dr. Washington Osa Osifo, Esq.
The visit, led by the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. (Mrs.) Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, provided an opportunity for the Hospital and the Ministry to strengthen institutional engagement and discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly in promoting the health and wellbeing of young people in Edo State.
In her remarks, the CMD appreciated the Honourable Commissioner for receiving the Hospitalโs delegation and congratulated him on his appointment.
She highlighted the importance of equity in healthcare provision and the need for stronger collaboration between the health and education sectors in addressing health challenges affecting young people.
The Chief Medical Director noted that, over the past thirty-five years, UBTH has continued to expand access to quality healthcare and specialised services while contributing to the training and development of the next generation of healthcare professionals.
She, however, noted that emerging challenges, particularly drug use and abuse among young people, require deliberate, innovative and sustained interventions.
Speaking on the Hospitalโs recent efforts in this regard, she highlighted the newly commissioned Drug Testing Centre at UBTH, noting that the initiative provides an opportunity for a structured approach to the identification and management of drug-related concerns.
She explained that the process goes beyond testing, incorporating testing, counselling, advice and follow-up, with confidentiality maintained throughout the process and appropriate rehabilitation and support provided where necessary.
The Chief Medical Director noted that the intervention could also be implemented among students, particularly within educational institutions, to support early identification and intervention.
She explained that the proposed process is unique and non-invasive and could be implemented through different approaches, including having the Hospitalโs team visit schools to conduct the tests or having students visit the facility for testing.
She emphasised that the intention is not merely to identify students who may be using drugs, but to provide the necessary counselling, advice and follow-up to ensure that those who require support can access appropriate care and rehabilitation.
Continuing the presentation, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), Prof. Adebola Ehizele, provided further details on the proposed initiative and its potential application within educational institutions. She highlighted the importance of a structured, confidential and evidence-based approach to drug testing and intervention, particularly in ensuring that students who may require support are appropriately identified and guided towards the necessary care.
According to her, the broader objective is to ensure that children and young people are protected from the harmful effects of drug use and abuse and are supported to grow into healthy, productive and useful members of society.
She further noted the importance of formalising drug-testing interventions within the State, in line with broader national efforts towards addressing drug use and abuse, and expressed UBTHโs readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, in developing a workable framework for the initiative.
Responding, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Edo State, Hon. Dr. Washington Osa Osifo, appreciated the management of UBTH for the courtesy visit and commended the Hospital for its commitment to improving the wellbeing of the people of Edo State.
He expressed appreciation to the Hospital for not only identifying a challenge affecting society but also presenting a practical solution that could be adopted to address the situation.
The Commissioner expressed his readiness to explore collaboration with UBTH on the proposed initiative, noting that the intervention should not necessarily be restricted to students and schools alone.
He advocated for consideration of the wider workforce and other sectors of society, emphasising the need for a broader approach to addressing drug use and abuse across the State.
He further expressed optimism about the prospect of collaboration between the Ministry and UBTH, noting that the initiative could be developed into a wider intervention capable of reaching communities across Edo State.
The engagement underscored the shared commitment of UBTH and the Edo State Ministry of Education to strengthening preventive health interventions, promoting early identification and support, and protecting young people from the harmful effects of drug use and abuse.
It also highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral partnerships in addressing emerging public health challenges and ensuring that young people are equipped to live healthy, productive and fulfilling lives.
Present at the meeting were members of the Hospitalโs Core Management Team, including the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) and Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Emmanuel Osaigbovo; Director of Administration, Jim Uwadiae, Esq.; Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), Prof. Adebola Ehizele; and Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Grace Arheghan, among others.
