UBTH Announces 100% Increase in Medical Bills

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has implemented a 100% increase in medical bills, which has drawn significant criticism from residents of Edo State. According to an internal memorandum dated January 30, 2026, the new admission deposits include N150,000 for medical wards, N200,000 for private wards, and N1 million for the intensive care unit (ICU).

The adjustments aim to promote efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance the procurement of medical consumables. The hospital's management, represented by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), stated that the review was necessary due to prevailing funding realities.

This decision has sparked backlash on social media, with residents describing the increases as astronomical. Osaretin Iyen, head of the hospital's public relations unit, clarified that the introduction of private laboratory services is intended to complement existing diagnostic services and not to replace them, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted access to laboratory investigations for critically ill patients.