By Joe Ephraim, Calabar
The management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has immortalised two pioneering Nigerian physicians by naming its male and female medical wards after them in recognition of their contributions to healthcare development and medical education in the institution.
The newly renovated female medical ward was named after Dr. Obal Adiaha Otu, regarded as the first Nigerian female Internal Physician in the hospital between 1976 and 1982, while the male medical ward was named after Prof. Emmanuel Nwafor Uzoma Ezedinachi, described as one of the pioneer Nigerian Internal Physicians in the hospital.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the hospital premises in Calabar, brought together hospital management, medical personnel, family members and representatives of the honourees.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Medical Director of UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, said the decision to immortalise the physicians was in recognition of their pioneering roles in building the Department of Internal Medicine and inspiring generations of medical practitioners.
According to him, many professionals were initially reluctant to work in the institution because it was “virgin territory,” but Prof. Ezedinachi accepted the challenge, took over from expatriate Indian doctors and helped establish and expand the department
“Professor Nwafor Ezedinachi decided to come. He took over from the Indians and he built a department, brought in other people, and over the years built the department. It is therefore to his credit that today, the male medical ward, fully renovated, is being named in this hospital,” he said.
Prof. Ikpeme also praised Dr. Obal Otu for breaking barriers as the hospital’s first female internal physician and for mentoring younger generations of women in medicine.
“She has inspired a generation of women in medicine and she remains a teacher up until today. We think it is fitting that the female medical ward should be named after her,” he stated.
The CMD said the hospital remains open to partnerships and support from individuals and organisations willing to contribute to the development of healthcare infrastructure in the institution.
He further commended the Federal Government and the people of Cross River State for creating an enabling environment for growth and development in the health sector.
Prof. Ikpeme also disclosed that UCTH currently receives patients from across Cross River and neighbouring states, as well as from neighbouring African countries including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic.
“We get patients from neighbouring states, and we even get patients from neighbouring countries… Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, even Central African Republic,” he said.
He noted that the increasing patient population has created pressure on available space and facilities, describing UCTH as the only tertiary hospital serving such a vast population in the region.To address the challenge, the hospital is constructing a new Department of Emergency Medicine with a 406-bed capacity. The facility, according to him, will include dedicated trauma, medical and surgical bays, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and three major trauma theatres.
Despite operational challenges, particularly the high cost of energy, the CMD maintained that the hospital remains committed to improving healthcare delivery and projecting its achievements more actively.
“Somebody said we’re silent, but we’re beginning to talk. And right now, we’re out there,” he added.
