…Association Says Facility Will Cut Medical Tourism, Boost Access to Cancer and Urological Care
By Hassan Hussein
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has commended Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for the successful first robotic-assisted surgery performed at the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma.
ALGON Deputy National President and Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area, Hon. Toni Adikibe, described the development as a landmark in healthcare delivery and a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to bringing advanced medical services closer to the people.
In a statement issued on Friday, Adikibe said the successful procedure, performed at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre under the leadership of Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, marked the beginning of a new era in specialised healthcare in the state.
He said the establishment of the centre had the potential to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for complex medical procedures, while retaining healthcare expenditure within the country.
According to him, locating the facility within a public hospital and linking it to the Imo State Health Insurance Programme at ₦15,000 per person annually would make precision surgery and cancer care more accessible to residents, particularly those in rural communities.
The ALGON chairman noted that people across the 27 local government areas would benefit from the centre, stressing that specialised procedures for cancer and complex urological conditions could now be undertaken closer to home.
He listed the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery to include greater precision, smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery.
Adikibe expressed confidence that the state’s security architecture would adequately protect the facility and its personnel, while the engagement of medical experts and international collaborators would help address skills gaps and promote technology transfer.
He said the development would strengthen healthcare delivery, reduce medical tourism, and position Imo State as a destination for specialised medical care in the region.
The ALGON Deputy National President pledged the full support of the 27 local government councils to the initiative.
He said the councils would support public awareness and sensitisation campaigns across wards, in collaboration with traditional rulers, town unions, and community health workers, to encourage residents to utilise the facility and participate in screening and early diagnosis programmes.
Adikibe also pledged that the councils would collaborate with the state government and security agencies to safeguard the facility, while encouraging local health workers to take advantage of available training opportunities.
He called on medical professionals in the state to embrace the opportunity provided by the new facility and contribute to raising the standard of healthcare delivery and reducing mortality.
Adikibe congratulated Governor Uzodimma and the people of Imo State on the milestone, describing the first robotic-assisted surgery as a significant step towards the future of healthcare in the state.
