The Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, on Friday performed its first robotic-assisted surgery, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to bring advanced medical care closer to residents and reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for specialised treatment.
The landmark procedure was carried out at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre within the hospital and was led by Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon and Lead Urological Surgeon at Glan Clwyd Hospital, United Kingdom.
The development was announced in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, who described the procedure as a new chapter in healthcare delivery in Imo State.
According to Nwaogwugwu, the milestone would bring advanced medical technology closer to ordinary Imolites while complementing efforts to make quality healthcare more accessible through the Imo State Health Insurance Programme.
He said eligible Imolites could access healthcare services under the programme for N15,000 per person annually, describing the initiative as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the financial burden associated with accessing quality medical care.
The statement said the hospital had undergone extensive upgrades, including the establishment of a dedicated Robotics Centre equipped with modern medical technology and operated under a public-private partnership arrangement.
Nwaogwugwu said the facility was established as part of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s efforts to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for specialised medical treatment.
The Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre combines robotic surgical capabilities with oncology services and is expected to strengthen the state’s capacity to diagnose and treat cancer, urological conditions and other complex diseases.
The centre is also expected to create opportunities for specialist training and international collaborations while helping to retain healthcare expenditure within Nigeria.
Explaining the technology, Nwaogwugwu said robotic-assisted surgery offers greater precision, enhanced visualisation, improved dexterity and greater control during complex surgical procedures.
He added that, depending on the patient’s condition and the procedure involved, the technology could provide benefits including smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, shorter recovery periods and improved surgical outcomes.
The statement said the centre was conceived by Uzodimma as part of efforts to position Imo as a leading destination for advanced healthcare innovation in Nigeria and across Africa.
It added that Friday’s procedure marked the transition of the centre from a state-of-the-art infrastructure project into a fully operational institution capable of delivering highly specialised medical care.
The development comes amid longstanding concerns over Nigerians travelling abroad for specialised medical treatment, with the state government describing the facility as a viable alternative within Nigeria.
Nwaogwugwu further said doctors and nurses at the centre were upbeat about the development when the governor inspected the facility on Wednesday.
