UBTH Hosts U.S. CDC/RTI Delegation, Deepens Collaboration on AFI Surveillance and Dengue Detection

 Earlier today, I had the privilege of welcoming a delegation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Their visit was a courtesy call but also a significant step forward in strengthening our ongoing efforts in the Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) Surveillance Programme.

The team, led by Dr. Nnenna Ananaba of the U.S. CDC, informed me that UBTH continues to play a pivotal role as one of only six sentinel surveillance sites in Nigeria, and the designated hub for the South-South region. I was deeply encouraged by her acknowledgment of our steadfast institutional support for AFI surveillance.

Dr. Ananaba highlighted the tangible impact of this programme, particularly its role in the early detection of the recent dengue fever outbreak in Benin City. She commended our hospital for its rapid and effective response, noting that our ability to test samples from across Edo State was a direct result of the capacity built through the AFI surveillance initiative.

During our discussion, she explained that the purpose of their visit was to provide hands-on training for our laboratory team on the use of a new Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). This innovation, she emphasized, will offer a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to the existing PCR-based diagnostic method—an improvement that will significantly enhance our diagnostic efficiency.

I expressed my sincere gratitude to the CDC/RTI delegation for selecting UBTH and for offering this training free of charge to our laboratory staff. Their continued partnership is invaluable to us, and I assured the team of UBTH’s unwavering institutional support to ensure the

smooth continuation and further strengthening of AFI surveillance in our institution.

Today’s visit reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in improving public health outcomes. I look forward to deepening our partnership as we work together to protect the health of our community and region.

Prof. Idia N. Ize-Iyamu

CMD, University of Benin Teaching Hospital