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 lowering Nigeria’s dependence on overseas medical services for specialised remedy.

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

He mentioned 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 throughout the college for the academy’s actions.

Ekwueme mentioned the programme would transcend coaching particular person surgeons to creating full surgical groups able to delivering protected 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 mentioned.

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 taking part hospitals with the procurement and set up of robotic tools to allow them to determine their very own providers.

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

Ekwueme mentioned 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 know-how.

He described the power as an necessary growth for the South-East, the place entry to superior surgical know-how had been restricted, including that sufferers might now obtain specialised procedures with out travelling to different components 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 mentioned.

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

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

On the appliance of robotic surgery, Ekwueme mentioned the know-how could possibly be used throughout a number of specialties, together with urology, gynaecology, basic surgery and chosen cardiac procedures.

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

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

He mentioned these capabilities might assist scale back surgical trauma, blood loss and restoration time in appropriately chosen sufferers.

Ekwueme, nevertheless, confused that the acquisition of robotic tools alone wouldn’t assure profitable outcomes, noting that surgeons and different members of the surgical workforce should be adequately educated to make use of the know-how.

“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 mentioned.

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

Ekwueme mentioned increasing entry to robotic surgery might assist scale back medical tourism by permitting Nigerians to obtain specialised remedy throughout the nation.

He defined that looking for medical care overseas usually 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 known as on the Federal Government and public establishments to help the adoption of robotic surgery by way of partnerships and insurance policies that may make tools acquisition and upkeep extra inexpensive.

According to him, the tax burden related to importing superior medical tools must be reviewed to encourage extra hospitals to spend money on the know-how and finally scale 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 mentioned.

He invited chief medical administrators of public hospitals to interact along with his workforce on doable preparations for buying robotic techniques and coaching personnel to function them.

Ekwueme mentioned his expertise within the discipline included creating robotic surgery providers within the United Kingdom and Nigeria, consulting for robotic know-how corporations in Europe and coaching different surgeons.

He mentioned his workforce had carried out greater than 145 robotic procedures by way of the programme he developed, describing the determine as the 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 mentioned.

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

“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 mentioned.

“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 supply a basis for increasing superior surgical providers, creating native experience and enhancing entry to specialised healthcare in Nigeria and different African international locations.