The Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, has performed its first robotic-assisted surgery, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to provide advanced medical care locally.

The procedure was performed on Friday, with the hospital describing the development as a significant step in the transformation of healthcare delivery in Imo State.

According to the hospital, the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery will expand access to modern surgical technology and improve the quality of specialised healthcare available to residents.

The development is also expected to reduce the need for some patients to travel outside the state or country to access complex surgical procedures.

The hospital said the milestone was achieved alongside efforts to make quality healthcare more accessible through the Imo State Health Insurance Programme.

A representative of the hospital, Nwaogwugwu, described the first robotic procedure as the beginning of a new chapter in healthcare delivery in the state.

He said the technology would bring advanced medical care closer to ordinary Imolites and support the state’s broader healthcare transformation agenda.

The introduction of robotic-assisted surgery comes amid growing efforts by Nigerian healthcare institutions to adopt minimally invasive and technology-driven surgical procedures.

The milestone positions Imo Specialist Hospital among Nigerian health facilities expanding the use of advanced surgical technology to improve patient care.