Nigeria Records First Tele-Robotic Surgery as Surgeon Operates on Abuja Patient from Ogun

Nigeria has recorded its first tele-robotic surgery after a surgeon successfully performed a complex kidney cancer operation on a patient in Abuja while operating remotely from Mowe, Ogun State.

The procedure, a robot-assisted right radical nephrectomy to remove a cancerous kidney tumour, was carried out through a collaboration between Redeemer’s Health Village and RoboMed Global.

The surgeon operated the robotic surgical system in real time from a Toumai console at the facility in Mowe, while the patient was undergoing the procedure at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja.

The two locations are approximately 500 kilometres apart.

The development marks a significant step in the use of remote surgical technology in Nigeria, demonstrating how robotic systems can allow surgeons to perform procedures on patients located hundreds of kilometres away.

During the operation, the robotic system transmitted the surgeon’s movements to the equipment at the Abuja hospital, enabling the procedure to be performed remotely.

The successful operation highlights the potential of tele-robotic technology to expand access to specialised surgical care, particularly for patients who may not be able to travel to centres where highly specialised surgeons are available.

The development also underscores the growing application of advanced medical technology in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.