UBTH: UNIBEN 8th Valedictory Lecture by UBTH Consultant Surgeon, Prof. Moses Imokhai

The University of Benin held her 8th Valedictory lecture series at the Akin-Deko Hall, University of Benin on Thursday, 2nd November 2023, Myschoolnews report.

The lecture themed “From Cairo to Cape Town: The Sojourn of a Surgeon ”was given by Prof. Moses Imokhai, Consultant Surgeon, Department of Surgery, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he addressed critical healthcare issues.

In his lecture, he addressed the issues of Breast Cancer, emphasising its global impact as one of the most common cancers associated with the female gender and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. 

He stated that while breast cancer deaths are on the decline in developed nations, it is on the rise in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

This rise he attributed to common factors like Ignorance, poverty and superstitious beliefs.

In Nigeria, breast cancer typically presents as a lump, whereas in developed countries, it is detected by the use of mammograms and other forms of screening exercises.

He also discussed thyroid and abdominal surgeries, correlating them with the regions “North of Cairo” and “South of Cape Town”, respectively.

During the course of the lecture, Prof. Imokhai recommended that free breast screening for women over 30, incentivized monetarily, be adopted in order to promote early detection.

For abdominal cancers, he urged the Nigerian government and health insurers to equip its senatorial districts with body scanning machines to aid the early detection of cancers in their operable stages.

The event had the presence of the Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof.  Darlington Ewaen Obaseki, the representation of the Vice chancellor University of Benin by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buniyamin Ayinde and other highly esteemed dignitaries.

At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Moses Imokhai has played significant roles as the Head, Department of Surgery, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and is currently a Consultant Surgeon, Department of Surgery.