The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, first tertiary hospital in Nigeria, will be 60 years old on November 20, this year. That was the date it was finally commissioned for operation in 1957 but the story of its existence dates back to 1952 when it was created by an Act of Parliament of the then colonial government of Nigeria. It was named University College Hospital because the University of Ibadan, established in 1948, whose medical students it was meant to provide clinical training for was also then known as the University College, Ibadan, affiliated to the University of London.
From conception to establishment, UCH was destined to be the leader in the field of tertiary medical training, research and healthcare delivery in the West African sub region and among the best globally. It was purposely built for this role. The very interesting story of its establishment says it all. While planning for its establishment, a visitation team from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Londo visited Ibadan in 1951/1952 academic session. The team led by Dr. T. C. Hunt rejected a suggestion that the facilities of the Native Authority Hospital, Adeoyo, Ibadan, be expanded and upgraded to form the teaching hospital.
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