Nigeria has recorded what the Redeemer’s Health Village describes as West Africa’s first telerobotic surgery, with surgeons operating on a patient from about 500 kilometres away.

The procedure was carried out at a hospital in Abuja by surgeons at the Redeemer’s Health Village in Mowe, Ogun State, using a robotic system connected through the internet.

The surgery involved the removal of a cancerous kidney and was performed in collaboration with RoboMed Global and Nisa Premier Hospital.

Doctors say the breakthrough could allow specialists in Nigeria and abroad to remotely perform complex surgeries on patients in locations where the required expertise is unavailable.

The hospital also performed a robotic-assisted procedure on a 28-year-old patient to remove an obstruction and improve urine flow.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr Adedamola Dada, is calling for government support to train more surgeons, nurses and biomedical engineers in robotic surgery.

Doctors say the technology could help overcome geographical barriers and expand access to specialised healthcare across Nigeria.