Imo State University, IMSU, in partnership with the Imo Robotic Centre, has established a Robotic Surgery Academy seeking to train 500 surgeons and other surgical professionals over the next two years.
Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, Consultant Urologist, Clinical Lead for Urology at Glan Clwyd Hospital, North Wales, UK, and newly appointed Professor of Robotic Surgery at Imo State University, IMSU, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday.
Prof. Ekwueme, described the academy as Africa’s first dedicated robotic surgery academy located within a university.
The initiative is focused on developing not only surgeons but entire surgical teams, including theatre personnel, to ensure the safe and effective delivery of robotic-assisted surgery across Nigeria.
He said the partnership was formalised following engagements between the university and the Imo Robotic Centre, with an MoU signed and a departmental building allocated for the academy.
The programme will provide training, certification, mentorship and practical experience in robotic surgery while also supporting participating hospitals with equipment procurement and installation.
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Ekwueme noted that the Imo Robotic Centre has successfully carried out numerous procedures and that his team has performed more than 145 robotic surgeries in Africa.
He also stated that the programme had achieved what he described as the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa, with the patient discharged on the same day.
He explained that robotic surgery can be applied across multiple specialties, including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and selected cardiac procedures.
Procedures such as prostate and kidney surgery, hysterectomy, fibroid removal, ovarian surgery, bowel cancer surgery and gallbladder operations can now be performed locally using robotic technology.
Ekwueme said the initiative would help curb medical tourism, reduce healthcare-related capital flight and improve access to advanced surgical care.
He also revealed plans for an adjacent oncology centre and medical institute, developed in partnership with the Imo State Government, to provide world-class diagnostic and cancer care services.
He expressed confidence that the programme would transform healthcare delivery, reverse brain drain and make robotic surgery accessible to Nigerians nationwide.
NAN
