History was made in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as the Specialist Hospital carried out its first robotic-assisted surgery, amid efforts by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration to end medical tourism by the citizens due to paucity of advanced medical facilities within the country. This is the first-of-its-kind since the creation of the state about 50 years ago.
The first robotic-assisted operation took place at 10:00am at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC) at the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to Oguike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hope Uzodinma, the procedure was led by Kingsley Ekwueme, a professor, and globally-respected Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon, and Lead Urological Surgeon, at Glan Clwyd Hospital, United Kingdom.
Ekwueme is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRSC), and founder of The Prostate Clinic.
Recognised internationally for his expertise in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, Ekwueme’s involvement reflects the world-class clinical standards that the Imo State Government has established for the IROC, he said.
Governor Uzodinma, according to him, personally witnessed the groundbreaking procedure, underscoring his administration’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery through strategic investments in cutting-edge medical infrastructure and technology.
The IROC was the brain-child of the governor in his quest for landmark infrastructure that will spur development and position Imo State as a leading destination for advanced healthcare innovation in Nigeria and across Africa.
The launch of Robotic-Assisted Surgery at IROC is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious healthcare initiatives undertaken by any sub national government in Nigeria, he said.
According to him, by combining advanced robotic surgical capabilities with comprehensive oncology services, the centre is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to diagnose and treat cancers, urological conditions, and other complex diseases.
Beyond its significance for Imo State, the exercise is expected to send a powerful signal about Nigeria’s growing capacity to deliver sophisticated healthcare services that previously required patients to seek treatment abroad in what is pejoratively tagged “medical tourism.”
The anticipated commencement of robotic surgery at IROC also reinforces Imo State’s emergence as a trailblazer in healthcare innovation.
He stated that, with the IROC, a viable alternative is being created within Nigeria, offering the potential to reduce medical tours while strengthening local expertise, encouraging international collaborations, supporting specialist training, and retaining healthcare expenditure within the national economy.
The surgery marked the operational commencement of robotic-assisted surgical services at the Centre and signified the evolution of IROC from a state-of-the-art infrastructure project into a fully operational institution capable of delivering highly specialised medical care.
Robotic-assisted surgery represents one of the most advanced developments in modern medicine. Through sophisticated robotic systems controlled entirely by specially trained surgeons, the technology offers greater precision, enhanced visualisation, improved dexterity, and greater control during complex surgical procedures.
Depending on patient conditions and clinical requirements, potential benefits may include smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, shorter recovery periods, and improved surgical outcomes.
The procedure will represent more than the introduction of a new surgical technology as it will symbolise the growing capacity of Nigeria’s healthcare sector to embrace innovation, expand access to advanced medical care, and create new possibilities for patients across the country and beyond, he said.
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