By Ibukun Emiola

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

Dr Olumayowa Kolade, Consultant in Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging & Theranostics, Department of Nuclear Medicine, UCH, stated this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

Kolade said that the hospital was recently named a Theranostics Centre of Excellence by EANM Research Ltd (EARL), 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 (ICPO), 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.

Kolade told NAN that the certifications represent nearly two decades of effort to position Nigeria on the global cancer care map.

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

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

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 said that the department was working with clinicians across Nigeria to raise awareness and promote timely referrals, adding that partnerships with ICPO and EARL had helped boost international confidence in the programme.

On sustainability, Kolade said there was an urgent need for government inclusion of nuclear medicine in national health policies, private sector investments, and support from insurers and philanthropic organisations.

“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, and serves as a training and research hub for specialists in nuclear medicine.

He urged patients, clinicians, and hospitals to take advantage of the services, adding that the department was already delivering real-life impact with advanced therapies being administered successfully.

“This is a story of vision, resilience, and hope—and proof that world-class cancer care is possible, accessible, and proudly Nigerian,” Kolade said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni