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Tag: (UCH) Ibadan

  • Early morning fire causes scare at UCH

    Early morning fire causes scare at UCH

    An early morning fire at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan caused alarm among patients, staff, and visitors on Sunday, September 22.

    The fire incident reportedly started from a spark at the changeover box in the Medicine Laboratory on the third floor.

    The fire was contained to the changeover panel in one of the rooms, resulting in no significant damage.

    Eyewitnesses noted that the quick response of several brave hospital staff helped extinguish the flames before the situation escalated.

    Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mrs Funmi Adetuyibi said the incident did not in any way disrupt the activities of the hospital.

    She added that most of the pictures of the fire outbreak being spread around on social media are not the pictures of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

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    She explained that the management of the hospital led by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Jesse Otegbayo has put in place all necessary measures to prevent such occurrence in the hospital.

    She further assures the general public of the safety of lives and property in the hospital.

    According to her, the courageous effort of some of the staff of the hospital who were on the ground when they noticed the fire coupled with the timely arrival and service of the fire service officials helped to assuage the effects of the outbreak.

    Adetuyibi said: “The attention of the management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan has been drawn to news making the rounds and viral videos on the fire incident that occurred in the hospital in the early hours of Sunday, 22nd September, 2024.

    “The fire incident occurred at about 8.10 am on Sunday, 22nd September, 2024. The incident was caused by a spark at the changeover box at the Medicine Laboratory on the 3rd floor of the hospital.

    “The fire outbreak was limited to the changeover panel in one of the rooms in the laboratory. No major damage was recorded.

    “The fire was put out immediately by the courageous staff of the hospital who were on the ground.

    “The Fire Service officials also arrived on time and rendered excellent service to assuage the effects of the outbreak. The incident did not in any way disrupt the activities of the hospital.

    “Most of the pictures of the fire outbreak being spread around are not pictures of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

    “The management of the hospital under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo has put in place all necessary measures to prevent such occurrence in the hospital.

    “The general public is hereby assured of the safety of lives and property in the Hospital.

    “The CMD expresses deep appreciation for the support shown and given to the Hospital at all times.”

  • Patient accuses UCH of irreversible blindness after radiotherapy

    Patient accuses UCH of irreversible blindness after radiotherapy

    • Investigation ongoing, says hospital

    A patient, Mr. Ayoola Idowu, has accused University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State of medical negligence, alleging that improper use of a radiotherapy machine during his treatment resulted in complete blindness.

    In a petition titled: “Petition for justice against University Teaching Hospital Ibadan: Negligence leading to the blindness of Mr. Ayoola Idowu,” to the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Professor Jesse Abiodun Oteghayo, by Comrade Levite A. Akpan, National President of Citizens Rights International for Human Rights and Justice, the group claims that Idowu received radiotherapy on April 21, 2021 without proper eye protection.

    Despite Idowu’s complaints of vision loss, the hospital reportedly dismissed his concerns, attributing his condition to a previous surgery at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo. Subsequent eye examinations at FMC, UCH, and LASUTH confirmed nerve damage, suggesting irreversible blindness.

    The petition demanded thorough investigation, disciplinary action against those responsible, compensation for Idowu, and the implementation of stricter safety protocols to prevent future incidents.

    Akpan, a human rights activist and his organization, Citizens Rights International were moved by Idowu’s plight, took up the case and petitioned the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice in Abuja, seeking justice and accountability from UCH.

    It reads in parts: “We at Citizens Rights International for Human right and Justice the undersigned are writing to express our deep concern and demand immediate action regarding a grievous incident of medical negligence at University College Hospital, Ibadan, which has resulted in a patient becoming blind due to improper use of a radiotherapy machine.

    “On 19/4/2021 Mr Ayoola Idowu had a keloid surgery at Federal Medical Centre Owo. After a successful surgery, the Federal Medical Centre referred him to University College Hospital UCH where he was asked to carry out radiotherapy. Mr.Ayoola Idowu was seeing very perfectly; then

    “On 21/4/2021, Mr. Ayoola Idowu underwent a radiotherapy session at University College Hospital UCH. Due to improper calibration and handling of the radiotherapy machine, he suffered severe damage, resulting in complete blindness.

    “This tragic outcome is a direct result of negligence and lack of proper protocol adherence by the hospital staff. Clearly outline the problem and its impact on the victim and others.”

    Akpan told The Nation Idowu explained to the organisation how, during his radiotherapy treatment, he was initially placed inside the machine without any eye protection.

    He noted that on his first visit, his face and eyes were left uncovered but during his subsequent visit, his face was covered.

    After five days, Idowu lost both eyes. He reported that he informed the staff of the Radiotherapy department about his vision loss but they denied responsibility for the damage.

    Instead, the staff attributed the cause of his eye injury to a keloid surgery performed at the Federal Medical Centre Owo.

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    “This was someone who went to UCH without any eye problem. University College Hospital has denied being responsible for Mr.Ayoola Idowu’s blindness neither have they taken responsibility for their incompetency which has caused Mr Ayoola Idowu’s life damage and turned him into a person with a disability.

    “Mr. Ayoola Idowu went to the FMC Ophthalmology Department, UCH Ophthalmology and LASUTH Ophthalmology to check his eyes condition and he was told his nerves had been damaged.

    “This incident highlights a critical failure in the hospital’s duty of care. Not only has it drastically affected the life of the patient Mr. Ayoola Idowu, but it also raises serious concerns about the safety and reliability of medical procedures at University College Hospital,” he said.

    They called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident, accountability and appropriate disciplinary actions for the staff involved the implementation of stricter safety protocols to prevent future occurrences, and fair compensation and support for Mr. Ayoola Idowu and his family.

    They further demanded a thorough eye check and treatment at the expense of UCH until Ayoola regained his sight.

    “We trust that the Federal Ministry of Justice and Health will take our concerns seriously and act swiftly to address this grave injustice. The well-being and safety of patients must always be the top priority. By signing this petition, we stand together in demanding justice and better safety measures.”

    However, in response to Idowo’s allegations, the hospital’s management affirmed that investigations have commenced to unravel the truth of the case.

    This was contained in letter with Ref, No. HG/CON. 851 and dated 22 July 2024, jointly signed by one Mr. Olubukola O. Ogunlade on behalf of the Director of Administration and Chief Medical Director.

    The statement reads in parts: “I write to acknowledge your letter dated 25th June 2024 to the above subject matter.

    “The Management of the Hospital empathizes with you. Rest assured that investigations into all allegations in your letter have commenced and appropriate findings will be communicated to you in due course.”

  • UCH Ibadan celebrates ex-CMD Alonge

    •Some staff react

    The University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan recently rolled out the drums to celebrate its immediate past Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Temitope Alonge, for meritorious service to the hospital, in a series of activities capped by a send forth dinner on Thursday, 28 February.

    Alonge, a world renowned orthopaedic and trauma surgeon had been credited with wide ranging reforms and other initiatives which have enabled the institution to maintain its position as the leading tertiary hospital in the West African sub-region while also attaining global recognition as a centre of excellence in the training of medical personnel, research and the delivery of special health care services.

    However, some people believed to be a section of labour force attempted to mar the celebration on his last day in office with posters bearing his picture and inscriptions denigrating him as a tyrant pasted around the hospital premises overnight.

    But the development which was apparently designed to embarrass him drew open condemnation from various categories of staff of the hospital with some of them expressing their disappointment on their social media walls and platforms against such savage and callous act.

    Some of the stakeholders of the hospital who strongly frowned at the ugly development noted that Alonge’s tenure was very rewarding to the hospital which was still inaugurating many notable developmental projects initiated and completed by his administration up till his last week in office.

    One of these projects is the N200 million In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centre, the biggest in Nigeria, which was launched on Thursday, 14 February. The UCH plans to provide efficient and affordable low-cost IVF services to infertility-challenged Nigerian couples at the centre, thereby assisting them because of the current exorbitant cost of the procedure both in Nigeria and abroad.

    For this and other numerous achievements of his administration in the UCH, the staff had embarked on series of activities to celebrate him. Highlights of the celebration included the inauguration of some projects, a valedictory session and a send forth dinner. The valedictory session with the theme “Clinical Governance: The UCH Experience” was held at the Emeritus Professor Theophillus Ogunlesi Multipurpose Hall on Tuesday, 26 February where members of staff showered encomiums on him.

  • Cancer biggest killer in Ibadan, says UCH CMD

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, has revealed that cancer is the commonest cause of death in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital since 2015.

    Alonge disclosed this while reflecting on his eight-year tenure in an interaction with reporters in Ibadan.

    The Orthopedic surgeon explained that data generated from the hospital revealed that cancer has been the leading source of death in the hospital along with infections including HIV/AIDS, injuries and Cardiovascular diseases since 2015.

    To address the ugly trend, Alonge said the hospital acquired two 22-channel brachi-therapy machines able to treat the three commonest types of cancer.

    He added the machine can treat minimum of 50 patients a day.

    According to him, most of the infections are HIV/AIDS-related, dismissing the impression the killer virus has been largely stamped out as a ruse.

    He said the campaign against stigmatisation may have contributed to the spread of the virus again, as infected people live without stigma, get more comfortable but go round to infect unsuspecting members of the public.

    Alonge said he was leaving the position fulfilled because he succeeded largely in his dream of transforming the UCH.

    He added his goal was to build the people, build a system and build service and infrastructures that will enable the hospital regain its status as the leading teaching hospital in West Africa.

    He pointed out that he succeeded in the goal, hence his feeling of fulfillment.

    The outgoing CMD said he enjoyed the support of the staff and Board of Management in his efforts to transform the hospital, stressing that he was leaving the hospital better than he met it.

    His successor, Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo, takes over at the end of the month.

  • Man jumps to death at UCH Ibadan

    The management of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said on Wednesday that an unidentified man deliberately jumped down from the sixth floor of the hospital.

    Mr Deji Bobade, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, confirmed the incident to our reporter in Ibadan.

    He said the man purposely went to the floor where the museum was under lock and jumped down in an attempt to commit suicide.

    “As we all know, the JOHESU strike is on and no health worker was allowed to be at work.

    “At around 9 am, people around the ground floor of the building said they just heard the thud sound of a heavy object.

    “On getting to the place, the body of a man, probably in his late 50s or early 60s, was found on the ground.

    “ Doctors around certified him dead.

    “We contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, who ordered his men to deposit the body in our mortuary here.

    “There was no means of identification found on him but his footwear was a “dunlop’’ rubber slippers,’’ he said.

    Efforts by our correspondent to get the police to shed more light on the incident proved abortive as Ajisebutu failed to pick his calls.

    He also did not respond to a text sent to his phone.

  • I’VE BEEN SEXUALLY HARASSED LIKE ANY OTHER CELEBRITY, BUT…

    I’VE BEEN SEXUALLY HARASSED LIKE ANY OTHER CELEBRITY, BUT…

    Ibadan-born actor, producer and director, Saidi Balogun, who was recently made Health Ambassador by the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, spoke to OLAITAN GANIU on his almost three decades career, plans for the new year and other issues.

    It’s a New Year, what are your plans for the year?

    My plan for the New Year is simple, it’s to move on, do my work the way it should be done. I have been made the ambassador of health and my association, The Golden Movie Ambassador of Nigeria (TGMAN) takes it to the next level, actualize her real vision. And, my job going to locations regularly and producing movies for people to see, bring out the creativity in me and show to the whole world to see and champion some campaign on the things that are going wrong. May God be with us.

    We see less of Yoruba movies showing in cinemas. As a veteran in the Yoruba movie sector, what is responsible for this?

    Let’s get one thing clear, movie has no language. Movie is a moving picture. So, if you call me Yoruba actor, I just answer not to make you think I’m arrogant. I am a moviemaker, I am an entertainer. Secondly, as for Yoruba films not going to cinemas, we are coming there gradually; if we can start by doing it for six states, I mean the Yoruba-speaking states, and then have the movies subtitled for non-Yoruba speaking audience… Possibly the Yoruba moviemaker have not looked much into that area and I am sure, it is not only Yoruba movies that are not in cinemas. I was really shocked when I got to Kogi State and saw a lot of Igala and Ibira films.

    Could you recall the first major movie you featured in?

    The first time I faced the camera – I think that was in 1978 at NTA. It was a television programme. The first movie I featured in was in Kwara State then. That was a long time ago, I can’t remember the year, it was a cellulous film that never saw the light of the day. I think it was in 1984. That’s what I can recall for now.

    As a popular actor, do you have plans to venture into politics?

    I would say, yes and no. Being a good actor doesn’t mean I may have a good sense of government but if the Lord says yes, I can never say no. However, for now, I don’t think so; it might be in the future.

    How do you rate the present political leaders?

    I will say one thing, and I would want my fans out there to please pardon me, those who also watch my films should pardon me. But truth must be told, it is the masses that turned politicians to businessmen. It is the masses that empower politicians to play us like Ludo or chess game. Why, a man wants to contest for a political post, and you did not ask for his legacies; where is he coming from? Before contested, he started giving you rice, doing drama, and giving you money. You were collecting his money. It is obvious he is only investing the money. He is going to make back is money and even make extra. So, where do you want development to come from? Before we chose our next leader, let’s look at their legacy. Let’s give the youth the chance to rule. Let’s stop collecting money and rice from politicians.

    Who is Saidi Balogun off the screen?

    Off-camera, I am a normal person, I do what God has sent me to do and I find joy helping others. I so much believe in helping others and I thank God.

    As a handsome man, have you ever been sexually harassment by a female fan before?

    Handsome or no handsome, a lot of actors, a lot of known faces and a lot of celebrities would’ve been so harassed at one time or the other. So, I have, but God is always in charge and I thank God.

    How much will you charge to act nude?

    To act nude, I can never act nude. That is a different field entirely, they have the porn actors, we have the comedians but for me, that is not my line. Maybe in my next world, for now that’s not my line. For 10billion I can’t do it.

    Do you ever regret choosing acting as a career?

    I’ve never regretted being an actor. An actor is like a messiah, we are like prophets, we remind people of the past, show them today and make them see into the future. So, I thank God even with or without money, I thank Him for who I am today.

    How favourable is the Bank of Industry loan to Yoruba movie sector?

    BoI has tried; they won’t come and knock your door. You go there with your proposal; if it is good they will support you. There’s no sentiment. It has nothing to do with one tribe or the other, if you like go there with Calabar film, once they see it can fly, you give them good proposal they will support you.

    Recently, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed set up a review committee for the MOPPICON bill. How has this helped the filmmakers?

    Alhaji Lai Mohammed is one of the most listening Ministers, we have free access to him at any time, but the MOPPICON thing is sad, we spent months, days, sleeping at job, sitting and putting heads together, writing these things out. The committee has worked; it’s left for my honourable minister to see to its approval.

    At times, I feel like crying to know that a film producer will only get 30% while the cinema house gets 60 or 70% of the proceeds from a film.  At the end of the day, the producer will run at a loss. We must have a structure. We are begging, and I am sure the minister is listening. He is a good man. I stand by him any day because he has contributed a lot to the industry. He will surely be remembered for his positive impact.

    As the president of Golden Movie Ambassadors in Nigeria, what is the aim and objectives of this association?

    The primary goal of Golden Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria is to rebuild and restructure the movie industry. Our members should be able to have a gain of being an association not just sitting down to talk.

    How do you think that actors can enjoy quality health services?

    Recently, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, headed by Prof. Temitope Alonge made me the ambassador on health, not for my name sake, it is for me to work out a pact with my association. We will work together to look into our health matters and prepare for the future. Therefore, when there is any health issue, we won’t be seeking for public help, left and right.

    How would you feel if you get a role in a Hollywood movie?

    Everybody prays to step into the highest level. If I have a role in a Hollywood movie, I will be happy and will thank God. That is a funny question though, I am proud of who I am, I am black and proud, but I will be happy.

    As an actor who acts both in English and Yoruba movies, which of these sectors is more rewarding?

    Both are rewarding, depending on how you package yourself. Like I said, a movie has no language. Yoruba and English movies are both rewarding, it all depends on your presentation. If you invite me, I see both as equal and I charge for it. It is a moving picture that is what I charge for. So, it depends on you, it has nothing with one language or the other. As for me, they are both equal, and I charge depending on what I want to do.

  • Screening will reduce adult mortality in Nigeria – Expert

    A Consultant Pathologist at the University College Hospital, (UCH) Ibadan, Prof. Femi Ogunbiyi, said on Tuesday that early health screening would reduce adult mortality in the country.

    Ogunbiyi made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibadan.

    He defined screening as “an examination or testing of a group of individuals to separate those who are well from those who have an undiagnosed disease or defect”.

    The consultant pathologist said that screening included individuals with presymptomatic or unrecognised symptomatic disease.

    According to him, the goal of screening tests was for early detection and lifestyles changes is to reduce the risk of diseases or to detect it early enough to treat it most effectively.

    “The objective of medical screening is to identify a disease in its pre-clinical stage and, therefore, hopefully still curable phase.

    “Screening tests are somewhat unique in that they are performed on persons apparently in good health.

    “Screening interventions are designed to identify diseases in a community early; thus enabling earlier intervention and management, to reduce mortality and suffering from a disease,” he said.

    Ogunbiyi said that although some screening might lead to an earlier diagnosis, adding that not all screening had been shown to benefit the person being screened.

    He said that over-diagnosis, misdiagnosis and creating a false sense of security are some potential adverse effects of screening.

    The consultant said that a test used in a screening programme especially for diseases with low incidence, must have good sensitivity in addition to acceptable specificity.

    He said that there were several types of screening but the most common were: the universal and case finding types.

    “Universal screening involves screening of individuals in a certain category (for example all children of a certain age).

    “There is also the `case finding screening’, which involves a smaller group of people based on the presence of risk factors, either in the family or by heredity.

    “Screening interventions are not designed to be diagnostic and often have significant rates of both false positive and false negative results’’, he said.

    Ogunbiyi said common screening programmes included: cancer screening, pap smear or liquid-based cytology to detect potentially precancerous lesions and prevent cervical cancer.

    Some others are: mammography to detect breast cancer, colonoscopy and fecal occult blood test to detect colorectal cancer.

    Other examples are (Purified Protein Derivative) PPD test to screen for exposure of tuberculosis and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to screen for depression.

    Ogunbiyi advised all teenagers and adult females from 18 years and above to go for periodical screening, adding that this would help in early detection and avoid spread of deadly diseases.

    He said that adult mortality would in the long run be reduced in the country.