Imo varsity establishes Africa’s first robotic surgery academy – Daily Trust

Imo State University has established a robotic surgery academy in partnership with the Imo Robotic Centre, in what its promoters describe as Africa’s first devoted academy for the specialised discipline, with plans to coach 500 surgeons and different surgical professionals inside two years.

The initiative is aimed toward constructing native experience in robotic-assisted surgery, increasing entry to superior surgical procedures and decreasing Nigeria’s dependence on overseas medical services for specialised remedy.

Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a marketing consultant urologist, laparoscopic and robotic surgeon just lately appointed Professor of Robotic Surgery on the college, stated the academy would practice greater than 250 Nigerian surgeons as a part of its two-year goal, with different members anticipated from throughout Africa.

He stated the partnership adopted a gathering between the college and the Imo Robotic Centre on August 18, 2026, whereas a college publication dated August 19 documented the institution of the academy.

According to him, a memorandum of understanding was subsequently signed, and a departmental constructing allotted inside the college for the academy’s actions.

Ekwueme stated the programme would transcend coaching particular person surgeons to creating full surgical groups able to delivering secure and efficient robotic procedures of their respective hospitals.

“We are not only training surgeons, but we are also training the whole surgical team. And this is very important because we want to train a team to be able to deliver safe and effective robotic surgery at their own local centre,” he stated.

He disclosed that the academy had attracted worldwide college members who would help the coaching, whereas Imo State University would certify the programme.

He added that the establishment would additionally help collaborating hospitals with the procurement and set up of robotic gear to allow them to determine their very own companies.

The academy is linked to the operations of the Imo Robotic Centre, developed in partnership with the Imo State Government beneath Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Ekwueme stated the centre carried out its first surgery in August and had subsequently carried out a number of robotic procedures, with sufferers already benefiting from the expertise.

He described the power as an vital growth for the South-East, the place entry to superior surgical expertise had been restricted, including that sufferers may now obtain specialised procedures with out travelling to different elements of the nation or abroad.

“We have bridged the gap. Nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery,” he stated.

The surgeon additionally disclosed that plans have been underway to determine an oncology centre adjoining to the robotic facility to offer superior diagnostic and most cancers remedy companies.

He stated a medical institute was additionally being developed by the partnership between the state authorities and the Imo Robotic Centre.

On the applying of robotic surgery, Ekwueme stated the expertise might be used throughout a number of specialties, together with urology, gynaecology, basic surgery and chosen cardiac procedures.

He listed prostate and kidney operations, fibroid removing, hysterectomy, ovarian procedures, bowel most cancers surgery and a few gallbladder operations amongst procedures that might be carried out with robotic help.

According to him, robotic programs present surgeons with magnified three-dimensional views of the working space and devices that permit exact actions, notably when working in confined areas or round delicate tissues.

He stated these capabilities may assist cut back surgical trauma, blood loss and restoration time in appropriately chosen sufferers.

Ekwueme, nonetheless, confused that the acquisition of robotic gear alone wouldn’t assure profitable outcomes, noting that surgeons and different members of the surgical group have to be adequately educated to make use of the expertise.

“The surgeon has to also be proficient in the use of the robotic machine. And that is where this training that we are creating becomes important,” he stated.

He additionally disclosed that his group had carried out what he described because the first gynaecological robotic surgery in West Africa by its programme on the prostate clinic, with the affected person discharged on the identical day.

Ekwueme stated increasing entry to robotic surgery may assist cut back medical tourism by permitting Nigerians to obtain specialised remedy inside the nation.

He defined that in search of medical care overseas typically imposed further monetary and emotional burdens on sufferers and their households, together with journey, lodging and the difficulties of receiving remedy in unfamiliar environments.

He referred to as on the Federal Government and public establishments to help the adoption of robotic surgery by partnerships and insurance policies that may make gear acquisition and upkeep extra reasonably priced.

According to him, the tax burden related to importing superior medical gear ought to be reviewed to encourage extra hospitals to spend money on the expertise and finally cut back remedy prices for sufferers.

“We know how to acquire affordable robotic systems. I will advise any public institution to come to train with us. We will help them to acquire robots, without a doubt,” he stated.

He invited chief medical administrators of public hospitals to interact together with his group on attainable preparations for buying robotic programs and coaching personnel to function them.

Ekwueme stated his expertise within the discipline included creating robotic surgery companies within the United Kingdom and Nigeria, consulting for robotic expertise firms in Europe and coaching different surgeons.

He stated his group had carried out greater than 145 robotic procedures by the programme he developed, describing the determine as the very best recorded by a comparable programme in Africa.

He can be the medical lead for urology in North Wales at Glan Clwyd Hospital within the United Kingdom and a member of the Faculty of Surgical Training of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

The surgeon described his appointment as Professor of Robotic Surgery at Imo State University as recognition of his contributions to the event of the specialty and efforts to determine a sustainable robotic surgery programme in Nigeria.

“I believe that the recognition by the university is just icing on the cake,” he stated.

Looking forward, Ekwueme stated his ambition was to make robotic surgery accessible to Nigerians throughout the nation inside the subsequent decade whereas creating alternatives for extremely educated medical professionals overseas to return residence.

“In ten years, I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria. I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less,” he stated.

“I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria.”

He expressed optimism that the partnership between Imo State University, the Imo Robotic Centre and the state authorities would offer a basis for increasing superior surgical companies, creating native experience and enhancing entry to specialised healthcare in Nigeria and different African nations.