As his tenure concluded, the former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Nigeria’s University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Professor Darlington Obaseki, disclosed that efforts to establish a long-awaited cancer treatment center faced significant opposition from an unnamed individual seeking to derail the project. Speaking at a press conference marking the end of his leadership role on August 17, Obaseki emphasized the oncology facility’s importance in addressing the urgent healthcare needs of patients who previously traveled hundreds of miles for care. The center is now slated to open in September 2025.
Obaseki described the delayed launch as a battle against “one of our own,” whom he declined to identify, accusing the individual of working to stall the center’s installation two years earlier. “It was by divine providence that we commissioned it before my tenure ended,” he stated, calling the project a cornerstone of his legacy. The center aims to alleviate the strain on families forced to seek cancer treatment in distant cities like Abuja, a situation he called “heartbreaking.” Despite setbacks, plans are underway to acquire a second radiation therapy machine within three months to bolster services.
The outgoing director also highlighted advances in hospital infrastructure during his term, including full digitization of services and the installation of fiber-optic cables to ensure stable power and connectivity. UBTH currently handles 1,500 daily outpatient visits and up to 600 inpatient admissions, figures he hopes will improve with the new oncology unit. Addressing criticisms of high costs, Obaseki defended the hospital’s affordability, noting that specialist consultations cost ₦2,500 (approximately $1.70), significantly lower than the ₦10,000 ($6.70) fees charged elsewhere in Edo State.
While reflecting on his tenure, Obaseki stressed the importance of perseverance in overcoming bureaucratic and internal challenges, underscoring the transformative potential of the cancer center for regional healthcare access. With sustainability measures in place, the institution aims to cement its role as a critical hub for medical innovation in southern Nigeria.
