History was made in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as the Specialist Hospital carried out its first robotic-assisted surgery, amid efforts by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration to end medical tourism by the citizens due to paucity of advanced medical facilities within the country. This is the first-of-its-kind since the creation of the state about 50 years ago.
The first robotic-assisted operation took place at 10:00am at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC) at the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to Oguike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hope Uzodinma, the procedure was led by Kingsley Ekwueme, a professor, and globally-respected Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon, and Lead Urological Surgeon, at Glan Clwyd Hospital, United Kingdom.
Ekwueme is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRSC), and founder of The Prostate Clinic.
Recognised internationally for his expertise in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, Ekwueme’s involvement reflects the world-class clinical standards that the Imo State Government has established for the IROC, he said.
