The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Centre for Gender Studies are exploring areas of collaboration aimed at promoting gender-responsive healthcare, improving staff welfare and strengthening the protection of patients’ rights.
The proposed partnership was discussed on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when the Director and staff of the UNIBEN Centre for Gender Studies paid a courtesy visit to UBTH to introduce the centre and identify opportunities for cooperation between the two institutions.
The delegation was led by the centre’s Director, Professor Jennifer Ebeigbe, and received by UBTH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu.
Welcoming the delegation, Ize-Iyamu acknowledged the importance of incorporating gender-responsive principles into healthcare delivery, particularly in safeguarding patient dignity, promoting staff welfare, ensuring equal opportunities and maintaining a safe and respectful working environment.
She expressed the hospital’s interest in exploring areas of mutual interest and possible collaboration with the centre, particularly initiatives that could strengthen institutional practices and improve healthcare experiences for patients and staff.
In her presentation, Ebeigbe explained that the Centre for Gender Studies was established in 2004 to promote gender equality, equity, inclusion and social justice through research, education, advocacy and community engagement.
She highlighted the centre’s activities in preventing gender-based violence, raising awareness about sexual harassment, building institutional capacity and developing partnerships with organisations working towards greater gender equality.
The director proposed several areas of collaboration with UBTH, including staff training and sensitisation, public education, joint research projects, community outreach and the adoption of gender-responsive healthcare practices.
Such initiatives could provide opportunities to strengthen awareness of gender-related challenges within healthcare institutions, improve responses to sexual harassment and gender-based violence, and promote more inclusive policies for patients and healthcare workers.
The meeting also provided a platform for both institutions to consider joint programmes and research initiatives designed to improve patient experiences, enhance staff welfare and support the well-being of the wider community.
Although the engagement focused on exploring possible areas of cooperation, no specific partnership agreement, implementation timetable or funding arrangement was announced in the information provided.
The proposed collaboration reflects the importance of partnerships between healthcare institutions and academic research centres in addressing social challenges that affect access to healthcare, institutional welfare and community development.
