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ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS — Imo State has taken a major step into the era of advanced medical technology following the successful performance of its first robotic-assisted surgery at the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma.

The procedure, conducted at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre under the leadership of Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, has been described by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) as a landmark development for healthcare delivery in Imo State, Nigeria and West Africa.

ALGON Deputy National President and Executive Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area, Hon. Toni Adikibe, who conveyed the association’s commendation on behalf of the 27 local government areas of Imo State, praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for what he described as a bold investment in healthcare infrastructure and medical technology.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 21, 2026, Adikibe said the development represented more than the introduction of sophisticated medical equipment, describing it as a major opportunity to expand access to specialised healthcare within the state.

He said the development would help reduce the need for residents to travel outside Nigeria in search of advanced medical treatment, while potentially retaining significant healthcare expenditure within the country’s economy.

“Your technological foresight has turned vision into steel and code,” Adikibe said, commending Governor Uzodimma’s commitment to healthcare infrastructure.

He particularly highlighted the location of the Robotics and Oncology Centre within a public hospital and its connection to the Imo State Health Insurance Programme at N15,000 per person annually.

According to him, the arrangement could make precision surgery and cancer-related healthcare more accessible to ordinary residents, particularly those who might otherwise be unable to afford specialised treatment.

Adikibe said the significance of the development extended beyond urban centres, stressing that residents of rural communities across Imo State could benefit from improved access to specialised medical services.

He listed communities and local government areas including Oru West, Oguta, Ideato and Isiala Mbano among areas whose residents could benefit from the availability of advanced medical interventions closer to home.

The ALGON official said the centre could provide a platform for the management of complex urological conditions, cancer diagnosis and other specialised treatments, with robotic-assisted procedures offering potential benefits such as greater precision, reduced blood loss, smaller incisions and faster recovery.

“This is governance with a human face. That is leadership that keeps our people alive and keeps our resources within our economy,” he said.

ALGON also expressed confidence in the ability of the Imo State Government to protect the facility, describing the Robotics and Oncology Centre as a critical healthcare asset.

The association further acknowledged the role of specialised medical expertise and international collaborations in addressing the training requirements associated with advanced medical technology.

Adikibe said sustained investment in professional training and technology transfer would be necessary to ensure that the new facility delivers long-term benefits and develops the local capacity required to sustain its operations.

He projected that the centre could help reduce medical tourism while positioning Imo State as an emerging destination for specialised healthcare services in the West African region.

Beyond commendation, ALGON pledged practical support from the 27 local government councils to ensure that the benefits of the facility reach residents at the grassroots.

Adikibe said the councils would undertake public awareness and sensitisation campaigns across their wards to educate residents on the availability of the technology and the means of accessing services through the state health insurance programme.

The councils, he added, would collaborate with traditional rulers, town unions and community health workers to encourage screening and early diagnosis, particularly among rural populations.

They also pledged cooperation with relevant security structures to support the protection of the facility and its personnel, while working with the Ministry of Health and the centre to encourage healthcare workers to embrace training opportunities and advanced medical technology.

Adikibe urged doctors and other healthcare professionals in Imo State to respond positively to the opportunities created by the new infrastructure.

“His Excellency has provided the platform and the political will. We urge you to take full advantage of this gesture, raise the bar of clinical excellence, and work deliberately to drive down mortality rates in our state,” he said.

He maintained that the availability of the technology must be matched by professional commitment, expertise and effective utilisation if the state is to achieve the desired improvement in healthcare outcomes.

According to him, the latest development demonstrates the potential impact of sustained investment in modern healthcare infrastructure.

“Governor Uzodimma has proven that when leadership is bold, the impossible becomes operational. Today the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre has moved from infrastructure to impact,” Adikibe declared.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the 27 local government councils to supporting the state government’s efforts to ensure that the benefits of the facility extend to communities across Imo State.

With the successful commencement of robotic-assisted surgery, ALGON said Imo State had opened a new chapter in advanced healthcare delivery, with the potential to improve access to specialised treatment, strengthen local medical capacity and reduce dependence on overseas healthcare.