Imo State is set to perform its first robotic-assisted surgery on Friday, marking a major step in the state’s efforts to expand access to advanced medical treatment.
The procedure will take place at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC), situated within the newly reconstructed Imo Specialist Hospital in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area.
Governor Hope Uzodimma announced the development on Thursday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Owerri, describing the initiative as part of his administration’s investment in modern healthcare facilities, technology and specialist medical services.
He said the upgraded specialist hospital was designed to provide advanced treatment for complex medical conditions and reduce the need for residents to seek care outside the state or abroad.
According to him, the facility has been expanded to include a modern accident and emergency unit, intensive care and neonatal intensive care units, dedicated operating theatres, medical oxygen systems, diagnostic facilities, maternity and paediatric services, physiotherapy, mental health care and specialist wards.
Uzodimma said the robotic surgical equipment had been installed and the theatre fully prepared for clinical operations.
The governor explained that the project also involved bringing in specialist expertise to ensure that medical personnel in the state acquire the skills required to operate and sustain the technology.
The maiden procedure will be conducted under the leadership of Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a United Kingdom-based consultant robotic and laparoscopic surgeon, alongside other specialists.
Uzodimma said the collaboration would go beyond performing surgeries, as it would provide opportunities for local doctors and other healthcare workers to gain practical experience in advanced surgical procedures.
He noted that robotic-assisted surgery could offer greater precision and control in suitable operations, while supporting minimally invasive procedures that may result in reduced blood loss and faster recovery for some patients.
The governor said the development would particularly benefit Imo residents who previously had to travel to Lagos or outside Nigeria to access certain specialist treatments.
He said the government’s objective was to reduce the financial, logistical and emotional pressures associated with seeking complex medical care outside the state.
The robotic surgery project is also being integrated with oncology services at the centre, which is expected to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment in the state.
Uzodimma said the hospital was being equipped with modern diagnostic technology, including MRI, CT scan, mammography and X-ray facilities, to enable patients to undergo diagnosis, treatment, surgery and follow-up care within one integrated specialist environment.
He added that an in-house medical oxygen generation and distribution system would support the hospital, while a hybrid power arrangement was being put in place to ensure reliable electricity supply.
On affordability, the governor said the administration was leveraging the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme to expand access to quality healthcare and reduce the financial burden on patients.
He said the upgraded hospital would cater to people from different social and economic backgrounds while giving doctors, nurses, surgeons, technicians and other professionals access to modern equipment and opportunities for specialised training.
Uzodimma commended Professor Ekwueme, the hospital’s management and staff, engineers, contractors and other professionals who contributed to the project.
He, however, stressed that the introduction of robotic surgery should not be viewed as the conclusion of the state’s healthcare reforms but as the beginning of a wider transformation.
According to him, the real impact of the initiative would be measured by the number of patients successfully treated, the expertise transferred to local professionals, specialists developed and lives improved.
The governor pledged that his administration would sustain investment in medical infrastructure, technology and human resources, with the aim of restoring confidence in public healthcare institutions across the state.
He said the commencement of robotic-assisted surgery would bring advanced medical treatment closer to Imo residents and reduce the need for patients to travel elsewhere in search of specialist care.
