The Prostate Clinic TPC, a private hospital in Nigeria, has performed what can be described as West Africa's first-ever robotic-assisted gynaecological surgery, marking a significant expansion of advanced surgical care for women in the region and highlighting the country's push to reduce medical tourism.
The hospital, based in Lagos, said that a 30-year-old woman underwent a robotic procedure to remove a benign ovarian tumour, allowing her to be discharged the same day and return to normal activities within 24 hours.
"This is a deliberate move from male-focused innovation to addressing women's health challenges using cutting-edge technology," said Consultant Robotic Surgeon and Medical Director of TPC, Kingsley Ekwueme, who led the procedure.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has long struggled with limited access to advanced healthcare, driving thousands of patients abroad each year for complex procedures. In recent years, however, a handful of private providers have begun investing in high-end technologies such as robotic surgery and minimally invasive treatments.
Ekwueme said robotic surgery significantly reduces recovery time, blood loss and hospital stay compared with traditional open surgery, which often requires patients to remain hospitalised for several days.
"Within six hours, once vital signs are stable, the patient can eat and go home. She can return to work the next day, unlike open surgery where recovery can take weeks," he said.
The procedure, carried out at no cost to the patient as part of the clinic's corporate social responsibility programme, involved removing two ovarian tumours without compromising fertility, Ekwueme added.
A consultant gynaecologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital LASUTH, Yusuf Oshodi, who was part of the surgical team, said the patient was carefully evaluated before being selected for robotic-assisted surgery.
"The tumour is benign, and the precision of robotic surgery allows us to remove only the affected tissue without damaging surrounding structures. Her reproductive capacity is preserved, and she will be free from the pain she has endured for months," Oshodi said.
Oshodi noted that gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian tumours are widespread among Nigerian women, but many delay seeking care until complications arise.
"Fibroids are particularly common, affecting up to 70 per cent of women in some communities, although only a fraction develop symptoms," he said, adding that prolonged bleeding can lead to anaemia and heart-related complications if untreated.
Another member of the team, UK-based Consultant Gynaecologist Olaolu Aladade, said minimally invasive and robotic techniques offer faster recovery and fewer long-term complications than open surgery.
"With open surgery, you have more complications and longer recovery, which can also affect future fertility. Robotic surgery allows patients to return to work sooner and improves psychological and economic outcomes," Aladade said.
TPC said it has also partnered with the Imo State government to establish a robotic surgery centre, which it described as the first public-private collaboration of its kind in Nigeria.
Ekwueme said the centre, currently under construction, would focus on advanced care, training and research, helping to curb the outflow of patients and medical professionals seeking specialised treatment and education abroad.
"With the right partnerships and vision, Nigeria can become a hub for advanced medical care, training and research," he said.
