Imo Specialist Hospital Set For First Robotic Surgery Friday

The Imo State Specialist Hospital, Owerri, is set to conduct its first robotic-assisted surgery on Friday, August 21, 2026, in a major milestone for advanced healthcare delivery in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media to Governor Hope Uzodimma, Oguwike Nwachuku, said the procedure would take place at 10am at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC), located within the hospital in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area.

The surgery will be led by Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon and Lead Urological Surgeon at Glan Clwyd Hospital, United Kingdom, and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

According to Nwachuku, Ekwueme is internationally recognised for his expertise in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, adding that his participation reflects the “world-class clinical standards” established by the state government at IROC.

Governor Uzodimma is scheduled to witness the procedure, which the government said demonstrates his administration’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery through investments in advanced medical infrastructure and technology.

Nwachuku said the IROC was conceived by Uzodimma as part of efforts to position Imo State as “a leading destination for advanced healthcare innovation in Nigeria and across Africa.”

He described the commencement of robotic-assisted surgery at the centre as “one of the most ambitious healthcare initiatives undertaken by any sub-national government in Nigeria.”

The government said combining robotic surgical capabilities with oncology services would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to diagnose and treat cancers, urological conditions and other complex diseases.

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According to the statement, the project forms part of the achievements of Uzodimma’s 3R Agenda of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery, which has focused on revitalising healthcare infrastructure, deploying modern medical technologies and expanding specialist services.

Nwachuku said the initiative would help create a viable alternative to overseas treatment, which has resulted in Nigerians spending significant resources on specialised healthcare abroad.

“With the IROC, a viable alternative is being created within Nigeria,” the statement said, adding that the centre could help “reduce medical tours while strengthening local expertise, encouraging international collaborations, supporting specialist training, and retaining healthcare expenditure within the national economy.”

The government said robotic-assisted surgery was among the most advanced developments in modern medicine, with the technology offering “greater precision, enhanced visualisation, improved dexterity, and greater control” during complex procedures.

It added that, depending on individual patient conditions and clinical requirements, robotic-assisted procedures could result in smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, shorter recovery periods and improved surgical outcomes.

Nwachuku said Friday’s operation would mark the “operational commencement of robotic-assisted surgical services” at IROC and its transition from an infrastructure project into a fully operational institution capable of providing highly specialised medical care.

He said the development would also demonstrate Nigeria’s growing capacity to embrace innovation and expand access to advanced medical treatment.

“Tomorrow’s event is expected, not only to redefine specialist medical care within the State, but also to contribute to a broader vision of an Africa where world-class healthcare is increasingly available to its people,” he said.

Nwachuku added that doctors and nurses at the centre were upbeat about the procedure when Uzodimma inspected the facility on Wednesday.