A team of Nigerian surgeons has successfully performed West Africa's first remote robotic surgery. The procedure, a right radical nephrectomy, involved removing a kidney affected by a cancerous tumor from a patient at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja. The surgery was conducted by surgeons at Redeemer's Health Village (RHV) in Mowe, Ogun State, who controlled the robotic system remotely via an internet connection.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with RoboMed Global. Prof. Obi Davies-Ekwenna, the robotic surgeon who led the procedure, confirmed that the surgery was successful. The technology used allows specialists to control surgical equipment from another location, potentially giving patients access to surgeons elsewhere in Nigeria or abroad.
The remote robotic surgery was performed on a patient located approximately 500 kilometers away from the surgeons. This breakthrough has the potential to increase access to specialized surgical care in Nigeria and West Africa. RHV CEO Adedamola Dada described the achievement as a "huge breakthrough" and emphasized that it marked the first time telesurgery had been performed in West Africa.
Despite this achievement, Dada identified a shortage of trained personnel as a key obstacle to the wider use of robotic surgery in Nigeria. He urged the government to support training for surgeons, nurses, and biomedical engineers. RHV has previously announced the completion of its first robotic surgery, a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, a procedure to remove the prostate gland.
The hospital said the operation was part of efforts to expand access to advanced surgical care in Nigeria. Other West African countries have also recently reported complex surgical procedures. In Mali, a team of doctors successfully separated conjoined twin girls in an operation that lasted several hours in Bamako.
Additionally, Senegal has begun locally producing DREPAF, a generic version of hydroxyurea used to treat sickle cell disease. Manufactured by Teranga Pharma, it has been described as the first generic hydroxyurea treatment produced in Africa, reducing reliance on more expensive imported drugs.
The development in Nigeria follows recent advancements in the medical field across Africa. The use of remote robotic surgery is expected to enhance the quality of healthcare services in the region. With proper training and infrastructure, this technology has the potential to transform the delivery of specialized surgical care.
Key points
- West Africa's first remote robotic surgery was performed by a Nigerian medical team.
- The surgery was conducted on a patient located 500 kilometers away from the surgeons.
- The technology has the potential to increase access to specialized surgical care in Nigeria and West Africa.
