The University College Hospital, Ibadan, has earned dual international accreditation for its Department of Nuclear Medicine, positioning it as a global reference point in precision cancer care.

Olumayowa Kolade, a consultant in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, UCH, stated this in an interview on Wednesday.

Mr Kolade said that the hospital was recently named a Theranostics Centre of Excellence by EANM Research Ltd, the quality-assurance arm of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

He also said that it was recognised as a Clinical Theranostics Centre of Excellence by the International Centres for Precision Oncology, a Germany-based non-profit organisation committed to expanding global access to precision oncology.

“The dual recognitions cover treatments including radioactive iodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid disorders, lutetium-177 PSMA for advanced prostate cancer, and lutetium-177 DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumours,” he said.

Mr Kolade said the certifications represented nearly two decades of effort to position Nigeria on the global map of cancer care.

“It’s a big leap. We have not only met global quality standards but also made it affordable and accessible to Nigerians and Africans who would otherwise need to travel abroad,” he said.

He explained that theranostics, which combine therapy and diagnostics, make it possible to directly target and treat cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy tissues, an approach critical for managing late-stage cancers.

Mr Kolade said that beyond oncology, nuclear medicine techniques offered at UCH also aid diagnosis and treatment planning in cardiology, nephrology, hepatology, orthopaedics, and neurology.

While acknowledging logistical and financial challenges, he assured that treatment at UCH costs significantly less than abroad, with prices often five to 10 times lower.

He stated that the department was collaborating with clinicians across Nigeria to raise awareness and promote timely referrals, noting that partnerships with ICPO and EARL had helped enhance international confidence in the program.

On sustainability, Mr Kolade said there was an urgent need for the government to include nuclear medicine in national health policies, for private sector investments, and for support from insurers and philanthropic organizations.

“There is a huge opportunity here for national development, local capacity building, and regional medical tourism,” he said.

The consultant stated that UCH was currently the only ICPO- and EARL-certified theranostics centre in the entire West, East, and Central African subregion, serving as a training and research hub for specialists in nuclear medicine.

He urged patients, clinicians, and hospitals to take advantage of the services, noting that the department was already delivering real-life impact through the successful administration of advanced therapies.

“This is a story of vision, resilience, and hope—and proof that world-class cancer care is possible, accessible, and proudly Nigerian,” Mr Kolade said. 

(NAN)