Ibadan: The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has earned dual international accreditation for its Department of Nuclear Medicine, marking it as a global reference in precision cancer care. Dr. Olumayowa Kolade, a Consultant in Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging, and Theranostics at UCH, shared this development in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, UCH has been designated as a Theranostics Centre of Excellence by EANM Research Ltd (EARL), the quality-assurance arm of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. Additionally, it has been recognized as a Clinical Theranostics Centre of Excellence by the International Centres for Precision Oncology (ICPO), a non-profit organization based in Germany dedicated to expanding global access to precision oncology.
The dual recognitions encompass treatments such as Radioactive Iodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid disorders, Lutetium-177 PSMA for advanced prostate cancer, and Lutetium-177 DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Kolade emphasized that these certifications represent nearly two decades of effort to position Nigeria on the global cancer care map, making high-quality cancer treatment both affordable and accessible to Nigerians and Africans who might otherwise need to travel abroad.
Theranostics, which combines therapy and diagnostics, allows for the direct targeting and treatment of cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy tissues, a critical approach for managing late-stage cancers. Beyond oncology, UCH’s nuclear medicine techniques also support diagnosis and treatment planning in other medical fields, including cardiology, nephrology, hepatology, orthopaedics, and neurology.
Despite facing logistical and financial challenges, treatment at UCH is significantly more affordable than abroad, often costing five to ten times less. The department is collaborating with clinicians across Nigeria to raise awareness and promote timely referrals, with partnerships with ICPO and EARL boosting international confidence in the program.
For sustainability, Dr. Kolade highlighted the urgent need for government inclusion of nuclear medicine in national health policies, as well as investments from the private sector and support from insurers and philanthropic organizations. He sees this as an opportunity for national development, local capacity building, and regional medical tourism.
UCH is currently the only ICPO- and EARL-certified theranostics center in the entire West, East, and Central African subregion, serving as a training and research hub for specialists in nuclear medicine. Dr. Kolade urged patients, clinicians, and hospitals to take advantage of the services offered, noting that the department is already delivering significant impact with successful advanced therapies.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Kolade stated, “This is a story of vision, resilience, and hope-and proof that world-class cancer care is possible, accessible, and proudly Nigerian.”
