In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Nigeria has recorded its first successful robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery—the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The milestone procedure was led by UK-based Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) located in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Prof. Ekwueme revealed that the clinic was modeled after leading specialist centers in Europe, driven by a vision to offer world-class medical care to Nigerians within the country. His goal is to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for advanced medical treatments.

Having previously traveled to Lagos to perform keyhole surgeries in collaboration with various hospitals, Ekwueme said the launch of TPC now provides a dedicated facility for minimally invasive procedures. The clinic specializes in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries for prostate cancer and other urological conditions.

TPC is equipped with the cutting-edge Da Vinci robotic system, a state-of-the-art surgical technology that enhances precision and reduces patient recovery time.

Prior to this, the Da Vinci system was only accessible in South Africa, making Nigeria the latest country in Africa to adopt robotic surgery for prostate cancer treatment—a significant advancement in the nation's healthcare landscape.

The professor emphasised the efficiency of the Da Vinci system, which provides high-definition, three-dimensional imaging, allowing for intricate procedures while preserving the patient’s nerves for faster post-surgery recovery.

Highlighting the technology’s capabilities, Ekwueme explained that the robotic arms mimic natural hand movements with seven degrees of freedom, ensuring unparalleled precision.

The system enables remote operation, minimising blood loss and reducing hospital stays. He disclosed that the first patient who underwent the procedure at TPC would be discharged within 24 hours, with minimal scarring and no need for a blood transfusion.

On concerns about affordability, he reassured Nigerians that the cost of robotic-assisted prostate surgery would be kept reasonable. The primary mission, he stated, is to reduce preventable deaths from prostate-related diseases. He further assured that no patient would be denied treatment at TPC due to financial constraints.

Beyond prostate cancer surgeries, the surgeon highlighted his extensive expertise in urological procedures, including surgeries for kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and benign prostate enlargement.

He also announced plans to introduce a pioneering, non-invasive treatment for enlarged prostates—the first of its kind in Africa. Ekwueme emphasized his commitment to training more surgeons in keyhole surgery techniques and collaborating with the government and medical institutions to broaden access to minimally invasive procedures.

He reaffirmed his dedication to transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially in the field of urology, and urged for collective efforts to establish robotic surgery as a standard practice in hospitals nationwide.