By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, has successfully pioneered stem cell transplantation surgery in the country and West Africa.

The successful cell transplant surgery was conducted by doctors in the hospital on a seven-year-old sickle cell anaemia patient.

Led by Dr. Nosakhare Bazuaye, the 18-man team successfully carried out the surgery on the male patient who had suffered a stroke.

Briefing newsmen on the development, weekend, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadin, said the institution commenced the project three years ago when it sent the experts to Switzerland to acquire requisite knowledge for stem cell transplantation procedure.

He said with the breakthrough, the two-week procedure, which ordinarily cost about N40 million outside the country can be done for less than N2.5 million in the country.

Ibadin said: “This is the first time it is happening here, and this is the first time it is happening in Africa, outside Egypt and South Africa. It started three years ago when we sent 18 experts to Switzerland in batches. Experts from Switzerland came here to put up the infrastructure.”