Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin
The Edo State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Sunday refuted claims that the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has handed over some of its operations to private hands.
A viral post suggested the hospital’s leadership had improperly engaged a private laboratory and mortuary for healthcare services.
A statement signed and made available to newsmen in Benin by the Edo NMA Chairman, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, urged the public to disregard the allegations, suggesting mismanagement and the engagement of a private laboratory in the UBTH.
Meanwhile, patients are in for hard-times as the management of the hospital has increased most of its services b over 100 percent.
It was gathered that the present management headed by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, increased the admission deposit for its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from N500,000 to N1,000,000, representing a 100 per cent hike in the cost of accessing critical care services at the facility.
The development was conveyed in an internal memorandum dated January 30, 2026, issued by the Office of the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), approving an upward review of ward consumables and admission deposits across the hospital.
According to the memo, the review became necessary in view of prevailing funding realities and the need to promote efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance the maintenance and procurement of medical consumables.
Under the revised structure, ICU admission will now require a deposit of N1,000,000, while the Labour Ward Complex deposit has been fixed at N200,000.
Other new admission deposits include N150,000 for medical wards, N200,000 for private wards, N100,000 for day-case admissions, N150,000 for orthopaedic wards, N200,000 for neuro wards, and N150,000 for obstetrics and gynaecology wards.
In addition, ward consumables have been reviewed upward to N20,000 per week for patients in the Labour and Emergency Complex, while ordinary wards will now attract N15,000 per week.
The memo stated the adjustments are aimed at ensuring sustainable hospital operations and improving service delivery.
The development sparked reactions among residents, many of whom took to social media to criticise the Chief Medical Director, decrying what they described as an astronomical increase in hospital charges and the reported privatisation of laboratory services at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit.
However, NMA speaking specifically to the issue of private laboratory and mortuary urged the public to treat allegations with caution.
“The Edo State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association is aware of recent social media posts concerning clinical and administrative operations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
“Since assuming office about 6 months ago, Prof. Idia Ize Iyamu, the Chief Medical Director, has made uninterrupted quality care her operational priority. The Nigerian Medical Association supports this model for several reasons.
“The dual‑track model guarantees 24‑hour testing even during equipment downtime or supply delays, strengthens internal quality‑control through cross‑checks, and mirrors arrangements already approved in several federal hospitals nationwide,” the association stated.
According to the NMA, this approach does not contravene Federal Ministry of Health directives; it aligns with extant national policies encouraging public‑private collaboration where it improves service continuity.
Dr. Oseghale, the state chairman noted that laboratory turnaround times are a bottleneck in emergency care adding that by having two accredited facilities on site, UBTH reduces delays, improves diagnostic accuracy, and frees clinicians to focus on treatment rather than logistics.
“We recognise Prof. Ize Iyamu’s commitment to strengthening UBTH and her emphasis on transparent leadership. The NMA Edo State Branch continues to monitor the hospital’s practices, and we remain ready to engage constructively with management, staff, and the community in the interest of the health and overall well-being of Edo citizens.
Highlighting the progress made under the leadership of Prof. Idia Ize Iyamu, Dr. Oseghale said, “it is worth restating that quality health care thrives on facts, not on rumours, emotions, or politics. We stand very solidly with UBTH’s management and staff in their efforts to deliver reliable, continuous services, and we remain committed to safeguarding the health of Edo State residents.”
The Head of the Public Relations and Information Unit of the hospital, Osaretin Iyen, in his clarification stated the private laboratory service engaged at the A&E unit was introduced to complement the hospital’s existing diagnostic services.
Iyen explained the laboratory is intended to function alongside UBTH’s laboratories to augment capacity and efficiency, and not to replace or supplant the hospital’s core laboratory services.
