"We Now Perform Brain Tumour, Hip Replacement, Keyhole Surgeries" — UCTH CMD

Ukorebi Esien | May 15, 2026

CALABAR – The Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, says the hospital has expanded its medical capacity and now performs advanced procedures including brain tumour surgeries, hip and knee replacements, spinal operations, and minimally invasive surgeries known as keyhole surgeries.

Prof. Ikpeme disclosed this during a facility tour of the hospital by journalists in Calabar, where he highlighted ongoing improvements in healthcare delivery and infrastructure at the federal tertiary institution.

According to him, UCTH has moved beyond routine medical procedures and is increasingly handling complex cases that previously forced many Nigerians to seek treatment outside the state or abroad. The hospital now offers specialized interventions aimed at reducing medical tourism and improving access to quality healthcare within Nigeria. 

Speaking on keyhole surgeries, the CMD explained that the minimally invasive procedure allows doctors to carry out operations with smaller incisions, resulting in faster recovery time for patients.

“We do keyhole surgery. If your appendix is giving you a problem, we can take it out and the following day, we send you home because we’ve done minimal access surgery,” he said.

Medical experts say keyhole surgeries often reduce pain, lower the risk of complications, and shorten hospital stays compared to conventional surgeries. 

Prof. Ikpeme also revealed that the hospital is constructing a new Department of Emergency Medicine equipped with trauma bays, emergency theatres and intensive care units to manage increasing patient loads.

The CMD noted that UCTH currently serves patients not only from Cross River State but also from neighbouring states and countries including Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, reflecting the hospital’s growing reputation as a regional healthcare hub.

Recent investments in medical equipment, including MRI services and modern diagnostic technologies, have also strengthened the hospital’s ability to manage complicated cases and improve patient outcomes. 

The development comes amid growing conversations around Nigeria’s ability to handle sophisticated medical procedures locally. Recent successful brain tumour surgeries in Nigerian tertiary hospitals have further demonstrated increasing capacity within the country’s healthcare system.

Prof. Ikpeme commended the Federal Government for continued support through infrastructure projects and modern medical equipment, expressing optimism that UCTH would continue to expand its specialized healthcare services. 

Covid-19: C'River Issues New Public Health Guidelines

...Test for COVID-19 at Health Facilities across state using Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit.

Following the spread of the COVID-19 Virus and the sequencing of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 in the state which has affected a good number of persons lately, the Commissioner for Health and Chairman COVID19 Taskforce in Cross River state Dr Betta Edu has released a new health guideline on COVID19 testing which is intended to provide protection for the Health workers (front line) and the patient as well as aid early detection of suspected cases, thus reducing spread and saving lives in the communities.

This step which is expected to ramp up the state testing for COVID-19 and support the surveillance section of the epidemiology Unit of the public health response from the ministry of Health to reach more persons, confirm more cases and  build skills of front line health workers to overcome the pandemic is rated by many Public Health specialist as being timely!

The state has purchased several Rapid Diagnostic Test kits for COVId-19 in addition to previous donations from NCDC which is to be distributed to all major Health facilities in the state both at secondary and primary Level. The state Epidemiologist's and the Rapid response team has also begun the training of more frontline Health workers on testing for COVID-19 since they are expected to test all those who come into their health facilities before treatment.

The Honorable Commissioner for Health is using the medium to advocate to Cross Riverians to take the vaccines and stay protected as all those who have died of COVID-19 or have come down with very severe forms of the disease are people who have never taken the vaccines. Don't gamble with your life; get vaccinated immediately! Vaccines are limited!

Covid-19: C'River begins vaccination of Second dose

As the Presidential Steering Committee on covid-19 announced new guidelines to mitigate the spread of the dreaded decease, the Cross River State Government has also commenced the second round of the Covid-19 Vaccination exercise.

This was made known by the Director General of the State's Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Mrs Janet Ekpenyong. According to a statement signed by the DG, the exercise kicks off from May 26th 2021 with a state flag off at the Primary Healthcare Centre Ediba by 10:00 am Prompt.

The statement added that all eligible individuals who have had their first doses are expected to return to their vaccination sites or the nearest  Government Healthcare facility for the second dose of the astrazeneca vaccine.

While asking individuals to kindly check their vaccination cards for the date slated for their second dose and ensure they visit the health facilities to receive the second dose to gain full protection against COVID-19.

"The eligibility period between the first and second doses of the vaccine is between 6-12 weeks as advised  by the World Health Organization and other health regulatory bodies. Covid-19 Vaccination is free, safe and Effective."

The statement reads in part. 

CRSPHCDA and Akpabuyo LGA to Collaborate for Effective Healthcare Coverage For Citizens

The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Akpabuyo Local Government Area are set to collaborate to build an effective and efficient healthcare system for the benefit of the people.

This was part of the deliberation met when the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong paid a courtesy visit to the newly elected Chairman at the council's Secretariat in Ikot Nakanda.

The DG who said for a healthy society and a functional system, all parties must work together in harmony to make policies that will provide first-class health services to the people especially those in the grassroots.

The DG who further admonished the Chairman to maintain the momentum already established in the area council on promoting quality and effective healthcare services urged him to lend his voice to the global pandemic which has hit the world and other diseases which is predominant in the area council.

In his response, the Executive Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Honourable Emmanuel Bassey who praised the diligent nature of the DG, thanked her for the visit and the support which the Agency has provided for dwellers in the LGA.

He, therefore, pledged his resolve to prioritize healthcare services in the LGA as he said he is ready for a fruitful collaboration in the nearest future which he believes will impact the lives of his people.

"In Akpabuyo, one of the most critical sector that must be attended to is the health of our people, and I must commend you for championing a great fight in meeting the health needs of our rural people

Sure health will be given a greater priority, we are going to continue from where the previous administration stopped and collaborate with your Agency for the benefit of our people".

The chairman who described Akpabuyo as a volatile area thanked the Agency for raising awareness on Covid19 and other diseases, he also said he and his team won't relent in making healthcare accessible to his people.

The visit also saw the Director-General present some personal protective equipment for the council including hand sanitizer, facemask as well as Veronica buckets to halt the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Present at the meeting were the Director of Local Government health Authority in charge of Akpabuyo(Eyo Ekpenyong), The Head of Local Government Area (HOLGA), and Directors in the Local Government Area.

HEALTH-CARE DELIVERY: CRSPHCDA to partner Municipal Council

L-R: The Mayor Receiving Personal Protective Equipment
from Dr. Janet 

Ukorebi Esien | 10th July 2020, Calabar 

As community health or primary Healthcare becomes the focus of health care delivery worldwide with a focus on universal health coverage, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet David Ekpenyong has called on the leadership of Calabar Municipality for a partnership leading towards effective healthcare delivery in the state capital. 

The director-general of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong has solicited for a worthy working relationship between the agency and the council for effective healthcare delivery for Cross Riverians.

The DG, who made the appeal during a call on the Mayor of the Municipal Council, Hon. Nta Eke, who was recently sworn into office said, for efficiency in service delivery and dividend to be felt by citizens, the area council as well as the Agency responsible for grassroots mobilization of Healthcare workers must collaborate to ensure that quality services are maintained in line with best global practices.

In his response, the Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council and Mayor of Calabar, Honourable Nta Eke disclosed that Primary Healthcare services are topmost on the council's priority list as he seeks to collaborate with the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in adopting its scope of operation to obtain results.

Hon Nta said the Primary Health care Agency has done enormously well in sensitizing Cross Riverians across the state on various covid19 protocols which he said are well adopted in all Local Government Areas today and as such the policies of the agency will be adopted to provide effective, efficient and quality healthcare services to residents of Calabar Municipality.

The Visit saw the presentation of various personal protective equipment to promote hand wash protocols in the council Secretariat and within the area council.

Ekpenyong warns of immenent danger over low reportage of other diseases, except COVID-19

2nd July, 2020, CALABAR 

Since the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic, little campaigns are been made to promote other services in health institutions which expert says ,could overwhelm the nation if urgent steps are not taken.

This is why the Cross River State Government is calling on operators of different media houses to diversify their focus in their news reporting to create more awareness on other diseases rather than Concentrating solely on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Director General of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr.Janet Ekpenyong stated this in a workshop organized for representatives of different media houses on effective ways of reporting  infectious diseases which is still ravaging the lives of citizens.

  

Ekpenyong said, with high mortality rate still reported on other common diseases, the lone attention given to Covid19 may become catastrophic as she said the state and nation cannot afford to handle another pandemic after the ease of the global Corona Virus.

She said part of the attention should be shifted to actualizing a 100% immunization coverage across the state and country on all vaccine preventable diseases still killing children under 5 years old.

Dr. Ekpenyong said the health Sector is leveraging on the media to reach out to those at the grassroots level to visit the hospitals for proper medication as heath workers are available to provide health services with all preventive measures on Covid-19 pandemic put in place.