Nigeria has reached a major medical milestone after a private Lagos-based hospital, The Prostate Clinic (TPC), successfully performed West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery, ushering in a new era of advanced, minimally invasive healthcare in the sub-region.
The groundbreaking procedure, carried out on Sunday, involved the robot-assisted removal of ovarian tumours from a 30-year-old woman. Medical experts have described the achievement as a significant leap forward for women’s healthcare in West Africa and a strong signal that world-class medical innovation is now possible within the region.
Gynaecological surgery focuses on treating conditions affecting the female reproductive system, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina. The successful use of robotic technology in this case marks a deliberate expansion of TPC’s surgical scope from male-focused procedures to women’s health, using cutting-edge medical robotics.
The surgery was led by Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a renowned consultant urologist and expert in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, who also serves as TPC’s Medical Director. Announcing the achievement, Prof. Ekwueme said the milestone reflects the hospital’s long-standing commitment to innovation in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, TPC introduced the first surgical robot in the sub-region last year, and extending its use to gynaecological procedures was a natural progression. He explained that the patient had been living with painful ovarian tumours that disrupted her daily life, but robotic surgery allowed for a swift and precise intervention.
“With robotic surgery, we removed two large tumours. She will be discharged the same day and can return to work tomorrow,” he said, highlighting the speed and efficiency of the procedure.
Prof. Ekwueme described robotic gynaecological surgery as a game-changer for women suffering from conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and selected ectopic pregnancies. He noted that compared to open surgery, robotic procedures significantly reduce blood loss, lower infection risks, minimize pain, and shorten hospital stays.
“Once vital signs are stable, patients can eat and go home within hours. Recovery is fast, vital organs are preserved, and quality of life improves almost immediately,” he added.
In a notable gesture, the surgery was performed free of charge as part of TPC’s corporate social responsibility initiative. Prof. Ekwueme stressed that the economic and emotional toll of prolonged illness often far exceeds the cost of advanced medical care.
He also revealed that TPC has partnered with the Imo State Government to establish Nigeria’s first robotic surgery centre, aimed at boosting innovation, research, and significantly reducing medical tourism.
Speaking on women’s health challenges, a consultant gynaecologist at the clinic explained that many Nigerian women suffer in silence from conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and abnormal menstrual bleeding. Fibroids alone, he said, affect up to 70 percent of women in some communities, although only a fraction develop severe symptoms.
He warned that delayed treatment can lead to serious complications, including anaemia and heart problems, and emphasized that robotic and minimally invasive surgery offers precise care while preserving fertility and enabling faster recovery.
The historic surgery not only represents hope for millions of women but also signals Nigeria’s growing capacity to deliver advanced, world-class healthcare locally, reducing the need for costly treatment abroad.
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