First female UBTH CMD assumes office

Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has assumed office as the first female Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), since its establishment 52 years ago. Prof. Ize-Iyamu, in her address pledged to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve staff welfare in line with the President Bola Tinubu “Renewed Hope” Agenda to reposition the health […]

Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has assumed office as the first female Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), since its establishment 52 years ago.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu, in her address pledged to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve staff welfare in line with the President Bola Tinubu “Renewed Hope” Agenda to reposition the health sector.

“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.

“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,” she said.

The Professor of dentistry and orthodontics, described UBTH as a sanctuary of healing, a fountain of learning, a citadel of research, and a beacon of hope for millions who thronged the hospital for care.

She noted that the race for the CMD position was not without some challenges but appreciated the immediate past CMD, Prof Darlington Obaseki, and those who also contested for the position of CMD.

In his farewell address, Immediate past Chief Medical Director of hospital, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, described the event as historic, as he is the first CMD to hand over to a substantive CMD.

This morning as I came to the office, I looked at the pictures. Between 1970 and now, this is the first proper transition we are doing.Previous CMDs do hand over to CMD in acting capacity”

“Today I am handing over to a substantive CMD. That is historic and symbolic,” he said.

Prof.Darlington described Prof. Ize-Iyamu, as history maker being the first female CMD in the history of UBTH and the first dentist to be CMD in UBTH.

He charged the management and staff of the hospital to extend the maximum support given to him to his successor, as only the CMD can’t achieve peace and development.”