The Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, on Friday performed its first robotic-assisted surgery, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to expand access to advanced medical care.
The surgery, performed at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre within the hospital, 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, on Friday.
Nwaogwugwu described the development as a major step in the state’s healthcare transformation, saying, “A new chapter is opening in healthcare delivery in Imo State today as the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, performs its first robotics-assisted surgery, bringing advanced medical technology closer to ordinary Imolites.”
According to him, the milestone was achieved alongside efforts to make quality healthcare more accessible to residents through the Imo State Health Insurance Programme.
He said eligible Imolites could access healthcare services under the programme for N15,000 per person per year, describing the initiative as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden of 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 need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised medical treatment.
The statement described the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre as “one of the most ambitious healthcare initiatives undertaken by any sub-national government in Nigeria.”
It said the 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 statement added that the centre would also create opportunities for “specialist training, international collaborations” and help retain healthcare expenditure within Nigeria.
Explaining the technology, Nwaogwugwu said robotic-assisted surgery offered “greater precision, enhanced visualisation, improved dexterity, and greater control during complex surgical procedures.”
He added that, depending on the patient’s condition and procedure involved, the technology could result in “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 saying the facility would provide “a viable alternative within Nigeria.”
Nwaogwugwu also said doctors and nurses at the centre were upbeat about the surgery when the governor inspected the facility on Wednesday.
