In a groundbreaking medical milestone, Nigeria has become the first country in West Africa to successfully perform robotic prostate cancer surgery.
This historic achievement was led by a United Kingdom-based Consultant Urological/Robotic Surgeon, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos on Monday.
The newly established TPC is West Africa’s first super-specialised centre for robotic and laparoscopic surgery, offering advanced treatments for prostate cancer and other urological conditions.
At the heart of this medical breakthrough is the Da Vinci robotic surgical system, a state-of-the-art technology that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with unmatched precision.
The system’s robotic arms mimic human hand movements with seven degrees of freedom, enhancing accuracy while minimising blood loss, post-operative pain, and recovery time.
Patients can be discharged within 24 hours with minimal scarring and no need for blood transfusions.
“This is a dream come true. With robotic surgery, we can save lives and provide world-class prostate cancer treatment right here in Nigeria. No man should have to travel abroad for care when we now have cutting-edge solutions at home,” Ekwueme said while addressing journalists.
Ekwueme, inspired by specialised centres in Europe, has been performing keyhole surgeries in Nigeria since 2022.
However, with TPC’s launch, Nigerians now have access to a dedicated centre of excellence for robotic surgery, eliminating the need for expensive overseas medical trips.
He emphasised that before this development, the Da Vinci system was available only in South Africa within the continent.
Nigeria has now joined the global map of countries utilising robotic-assisted surgery for prostate cancer, a milestone that places the nation at the forefront of medical innovation in West Africa.
Ekwueme highlighted the system’s advanced three-dimensional imaging, which provides surgeons with unparalleled visibility, allowing for intricate procedures while preserving crucial nerves that aid in post-surgery recovery.
Addressing affordability concerns, Ekwueme reiterated his commitment to making robotic prostate surgery accessible.
He assured that no patient would be turned away due to financial constraints, as his mission was to prevent needless deaths from prostate-related diseases in Nigeria.
Beyond prostate cancer treatment, Ekwueme outlined his expertise in performing kidney cancer surgeries, bladder cancer treatments, and procedures for benign prostate enlargement.
He also revealed plans to introduce a non-invasive treatment for enlarged prostates, a technology never before performed in Africa, with an official unveiling planned for the near future.
Ekwueme called for government and institutional partnerships to train more surgeons in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, ensuring widespread access to advanced medical care across Nigeria.
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