Robotic surgery in Lagos reduces Nigerian medical costs
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Kelina Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, now performs robotic surgery weekly, allowing patients to receive complex treatments, like cancer removal and kidney repair, within the country instead of traveling abroad.
For years, Nigerians facing serious medical conditions often sought care overseas, spending between $15,000 and $20,000 per patient on treatment and travel. Kelina Hospital has performed over 7,000 surgeries, including over 800 HoLEP procedures for prostate issues, with a remarkably low mortality rate of 0.0007 percent over fifteen years.
The hospital pioneered several surgical firsts in Nigeria, including laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic pyeloplasty, and robotic radical nephrectomy on a solitary kidney, attracting patients who were previously rejected by other hospitals or feared the consequences of surgery. One patient, Joseph Adie Ogar, received a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in 2012 and has remained healthy without medication for fourteen years, retaining his quality of life.
Kelina Hospital’s success is reducing the financial burden of medical tourism on Nigeria and increasing access to advanced care. The hospital is now seeking government support and partnerships to expand training programs for surgeons and make these procedures more affordable for a wider range of patients.
