By Rita Amaechi National News
Imo State has recorded a major breakthrough in healthcare delivery with the successful completion of its first robotic-assisted surgery, becoming the first state in the region east of the Niger to perform the procedure.
The landmark operation was conducted at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC), located within the Imo Specialist Hospital Complex, Umuguma, Owerri.
The surgery was performed by a team of Nigerian and international medical specialists led by Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a United Kingdom-based consultant robotic and laparoscopic surgeon and indigene of Imo State.
Speaking after the procedure, Ekwueme described the operation as a complete success, noting that robotic-assisted surgery offers significant advantages, particularly in the treatment of localised prostate cancer.
He explained that the technology enables surgeons to remove cancerous tissues with greater precision while helping to preserve vital functions, including urinary and sexual functions.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, who witnessed the procedure, described the achievement as a major milestone in the state’s efforts to provide residents with quality and affordable specialised healthcare.
Uzodimma said the centre would serve not only as a treatment facility but also as a platform for early detection and prevention of diseases through routine medical examinations.
He stressed that the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the number of patients treated, skills transferred to local professionals, specialists developed and lives improved.
The governor disclosed that the centre operates under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, with the private sector providing the majority of the funding.
According to him, the model is designed to support the sustainability and effective management of the facility while expanding access to advanced healthcare.
Uzodimma urged residents to enrol in the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme to make specialised medical treatment more accessible and affordable.
He said the establishment of IROC was not merely about acquiring sophisticated equipment but also about building the human capacity required to operate and sustain the technology locally.
“Our plan has never been to acquire sophisticated medical equipment and leave it idle. Equipment must be matched with competence, and technology must be matched with training,” the governor said.
He added that robotic-assisted surgery offers greater precision, reduced invasiveness, less blood loss and faster recovery for patients.
The governor further said IROC was part of the broader transformation of the Imo Specialist Hospital Complex, which now includes expanded intensive care units, advanced diagnostic facilities, modern surgical theatres, neonatal care and specialised oncology services.
Uzodimma reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to specialised healthcare through continued investment in infrastructure, medical technology and human capital.
He described the first robotic-assisted surgery as the beginning of Imo State’s ambition to become a major destination for specialised medical treatment.
