Imo set to make history with first robotic surgery in South East

Imo State is set to make history tomorrow as it becomes the first state in the Southeast to perform a robotic-assisted surgical procedure.

Medical experts from the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America have arrived in the state for the commencement of the procedure at the newly established Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre, located within the revamped Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, Owerri.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, who announced the development yesterday during a pre-procedure briefing at the Government House, Owerri, described the milestone as a product of strategic investments by his administration aimed at transforming healthcare delivery in the state.

According to him, the landmark procedure will be led by a UK-based consultant robotic and laparoscopic surgeon, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, an indigene of Imo State.

Uzodimma said the state-of-the-art facility was established not only to provide advanced medical care but also to serve as a centre for continuous training and skills transfer to local healthcare professionals.

“Our plan has never been to acquire sophisticated medical equipment and leave it idle. Equipment must be matched with competence, and technology must be matched with training,” the governor said.

He explained that robotic-assisted surgery offers greater precision, minimally invasive procedures, reduced blood loss and faster recovery for patients.

The governor said the Robotics and Oncology Centre was part of a broader upgrade of the Imo Specialist Hospital Complex, which now has expanded Intensive Care Units (ICUs), advanced diagnostic facilities, modern surgical theatres, neonatal care and specialised oncology departments.

He said the investments were aimed at reducing the need for residents to travel outside the state or country in search of specialised medical treatment.

To ensure that more residents can benefit from the advanced services, Uzodimma reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage through the Imo Health Insurance Scheme.

“The real measure of success will be in the patients treated, the skills transferred, the specialists developed, the lives improved, and the confidence that our people build in our local healthcare system,” he said.

The governor described the planned procedure as only the beginning of the state’s ambition to position Imo as a leading destination for specialised medical care.

The initiative, he added, would combine advanced technology with local expertise while creating opportunities for healthcare professionals in the state to acquire skills in emerging surgical techniques.