ORL

Welcome to the otorhinolaryngology department, head and neck surgery at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.

Otorhinolaryngology (ORL), formerly known as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), is a specialty in Medicine and Surgery that treats ear, Nose, and Throat health challenges.

ORL services started at St. Margaret’ Hospital, presently called the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, in 1972 by a retired principal Medical Officer, Late Etubom Dr. Bassey (DLO, England). In 1976, Dr. E.E.B Ukpong (FRCS, Edinburgh) was appointed the first full-time consultant ENT Surgeon. In 1978, Dr. Victor Onoyon-Ita joined the ORL department as a Senior House Officer and was sent for training in Britain by the hospital in 1981. However, In 1982, Dr. Ukpong transferred his services to the State Government.

Residency in Otorhinolaryngology in the Department started in August 1991 with Dr. Aniefon Aniefon Ntuen-Udo Umana as a pioneer resident. However, the Resident Doctors went to accredited Centers at UNTH Enugu and LUTH, Idi Araba Lagos, for mandatory ORL postings. In 1994, Dr. E.E.B. Ukpong accepted the offer of Hospital Consultant for postgraduate training of Residents in otorhinolaryngology. Thereafter, the ORL department received partial accreditation from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in 1996 and a full certification in 2006 and 2007 from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons, respectively. Present status: Dr. Adekanye Abiola Grace is the current Head of the Department. Our current staff strength is eight consultants and one visiting professor, six senior and three junior Resident Doctors at various levels of training, an Audiologist, two Audiology Assistants, eleven ORL-trained Nurses, six Administrative staff, three Medical records staff, and four Clinic/Ward Assistants.

The otorhinolaryngology department engages services, including General ENT, Audiology, Laryngology, Otology, Pediatrics Otolaryngology, Rhinology, and Head and Neck Surgery. Additionally, the ORL department engages in research and collaboration.