The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, has commenced a five-day specialised Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgical programme in collaboration with local and international partners, aimed at providing advanced care for patients with liver and pancreatic conditions.
The programme, which runs from 7 – 11 April, 2026, is being organised by the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) in partnership with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), and OAUTHC.
As part of activities marking the commencement of the initiative, the hospital management hosted members of the visiting surgical team from the United States and Canada to a welcome dinner on Tuesday, 7th April, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. John Okeniyi, warmly received the visiting team, noting that although he had previously interacted with some members, the current engagement offered a unique opportunity to deepen professional collaboration and foster stronger relationships.
“This visit provides us the opportunity to interact more closely, share knowledge, and strengthen ties that will ultimately benefit patient care and medical advancement,” he said.
The surgical programme targets patients who have undergone rigorous medical screening and have been certified fit for surgery. It brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery and related specialties to handle complex medical cases.
In his remarks, the lead surgeon, Prof. Olusegun Alatise, expressed profound appreciation to the hospital management and the international surgical team, led by Dr. Peter Kingham, for their relentless support and commitment.
He described OAUTHC as a centre of excellence in liver and pancreas surgery, noting that the institution continues to distinguish itself as a reference point in specialised surgical care within Nigeria and beyond.
Prof. Alatise attributed the success of the collaboration to long-standing professional relationships established during his training at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, United States. He particularly commended Dr. Kingham for his sustained interest and contributions to the development of liver and pancreatic surgery in Nigeria.
“Dr. Kingham has shown exceptional commitment and has developed a keen interest in advancing care for Nigerian patients, largely due to the warm reception and collaborative environment he has consistently experienced here,” he said.
Beyond surgical interventions, the programme also includes capacity-building initiatives. According to Prof. Alatise, 16 medical personnel from teaching hospitals across Nigeria are currently undergoing specialised training in colonoscopy, while patients from Lagos, Kano, and other parts of the country have already been scheduled for surgery.
The welcome dinner was attended by key members of the hospital’s management team, including the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee; Prof. Josephine Eziyi; Director of Administration, Dr. Ayodeji Bobade; Deputy CMAC, Prof. Olalekan Olaseinde; Director of Audit, Mr. Adewale Junaid, and Head, Human Resource, Mrs. Boladale Owotade. Other heads of department who graced the occasion were Director, Nursing Services, Mrs. Olabisi Ajayi, and Head of Maintenance Services, Engineer Taofik Bamigbade.
The initiative underscores OAUTHC’s commitment to advancing specialised healthcare delivery through international collaboration, capacity development, and cutting-edge surgical interventions.
