UCH emerges as global centre of excellence in nuclear medicine for advanced cancer care

In a groundbreaking achievement for Nigeria’s healthcare system, the Nuclear Medicine Department of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has been officially designated as a Clinical Theranostics Centre of Excellence.

These were the standards and quality assurance arm of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the International Centres for Precision Oncology (ICPO) Foundation, two leading international bodies in nuclear medicine.

This dual recognition marks UCH, Ibadan, as the first hospital in West, East, and Central Africa to achieve this status and positions it as a leading provider of nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostic cancer treatment in Africa.

This is a historic moment for Nigeria and the sub-region. With this milestone, Nigerians no longer need to travel abroad for advanced molecular targeted radionuclide therapies like Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy.

Dr Mayowa Kolade, consultant in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging & theranostics at the hospital, said theranostics is an advanced field of nuclear medicine to see exactly where a disease is in the body and then to deliver highly precise molecularly-targeted treatment to those same areas while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

According to him, theranostics combines diagnostic molecular imaging with targeted therapy using special radiopharmaceuticals, and it is particularly beneficial for hard-to-treat cancers such as advanced prostate cancer, thyroid cancers, and neuroendocrine tumours, as well as in the use of iodine-131 for treating hyperthyroidism.

He declared, “These therapies offer new hope to patients who previously had limited options. They’re well-tolerated, precise, and backed by global clinical evidence. The fact that we can now offer them in Nigeria, at global standards, is a game-changer.

“One of the most impactful developments is the availability of Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy at UCH. This therapy is used for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), especially those who have failed conventional treatment. This is an advanced form of prostate cancer.

“This is one of the most powerful tools we have today in nuclear medicine therapeutics. PSMA-targeted therapy with Lu-177 delivers radiation directly to prostate cancer cells with minimal harm to surrounding tissue. It improves survival, reduces pain, and often improves quality of life dramatically.”

Dr Kolade stated that the official recognition reaffirms UCH’s role as a regional leader in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine, and it will boost national confidence in local cancer care services, helping reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism.

“With over 200 million people in Nigeria, the need for advanced cancer therapy is urgent and increasing. This designation is the start—not the end—of our journey. If this landmark was achieved despite resource limitation, imagine what could be possible with the injection of human and capital investments into our facility,” he added.

Dr Kolade linked the achievement to a multidisciplinary team of experts, including nuclear medicine resident physicians, radiopharmacists, radiographers, physicists, nurses, and administrative staff, and acknowledged that many Nigerian patients and clinicians alike are still unaware of the benefits of nuclear medicine and theranostic cancer treatment.

He expressed gratitude to the UCH Board and Management ably led by Prof Jesse Otegbayo, the departmental headship of Dr Jimoh, under the oversight of the Coordinating Minister of Health- Prof Ali Pate, and the Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare – Dr Iziak Salako- for their visionary leadership and support for Nuclear Medicine in Nigeria.

He acknowledged the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG), as well as the Nigerian Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (NSNMMI), for the foundational work of advocacy and policy in this space.

Dr Kolade called for ongoing investment in infrastructure, training, and logistics to meet growing demand to be able to meet growing demand for clinical theranostics.

“We’re hopeful that involving public awareness campaigns, clinician training, and collaboration with insurers and civil society will ultimately improve access. Access begins with awareness—and awareness is heavily aided by the media,” he concluded.

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