Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
IN a landmark move aimed at revolutionising the nation’s healthcare landscape and staunching the outflow of foreign exchange, the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) has officially launched a state-of-the-art robotic surgery programme in partnership with US-based RoboMed Global Inc.
The initiative, which represents a $4 million investment, was unveiled at the faith-based 300-bed multispecialty hospital in Lagos, marking a significant shift towards high-tech medical intervention in West Africa.
At the launch event, which drew top government officials and health sector leaders, Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, hailed the project as a critical component of the government’s agenda to reverse the “dominant direction of medical tourism.”
“This vision of robotic surgery, being translated into reality today, will undoubtedly save lives and add value to the country,” Dr Salako stated. He emphasised that the development aligns strongly with the administration’s pillars of improving health outcomes and unlocking the healthcare value chain, adding that it is a “commendable pathway to update the clinical skills of our surgeons.”
The introduction of the da Vinci surgical system at RHV promises to deliver unparalleled precision, reduce blood loss, and dramatically shorten recovery times for patients undergoing complex procedures. However, key stakeholders have stressed that the technology is only as effective as the infrastructure supporting it.
Former Minister of Health, Senator Adeleke Mamora, who was present at the unveiling, urged a holistic approach to the adoption of the technology. “Buying a robot is the easy part. Building an ecosystem is the real challenge,” he warned.
Mamora outlined that a sustainable robotic programme requires a synergy of well-trained surgeons, anaesthetists, biomedical engineers, IT specialists, and sustainable financing. “No single institution can achieve this alone. Success will depend upon collaboration built on trust, shared purpose, and long-term commitment,” he added.
In a bid to address the expertise gap and curb the brain drain of medical professionals, RHV has established a Robotic Academy. Slated to commence on October 22, the academy will offer a five-stage training pathway, including didactic lectures, dry and wet laboratory training, and human proctorship.
Chief Executive Officer of RHV, Dr Adedamola Dada, explained that the academy is designed to create a pipeline of highly skilled robotic surgeons across Nigeria.
“We do not want a situation where we bring people from abroad. We want to create a pipeline of Human Resources,” Dr Dada declared. “Training Nigerian professionals will enable the country to conduct surgeries locally, monitor patients, and provide follow-up care.”
Highlighting the economic impact, Dr Dada revealed that the cost of robotic surgery at RHV would be approximately 5% of what patients would pay for similar procedures in the United States or Europe, making world-class treatment accessible to the West African sub-region.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), commended the initiative, stating that the combination of surgical expertise, robotic precision, and the fear of God would save many lives. He was represented at the event by Pastor Joseph Olayemi, who noted that “knowledge, science and technology, when responsibly and compassionately deployed, are powerful instruments for alleviating human suffering.”
With this launch, Nigeria takes a bold step toward becoming a hub for advanced medical care, potentially transforming the narrative from a nation of medical tourists to a destination for high-quality health services.
