Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister for Education, has formally opened the country's first academy for robotic surgery.
The event, held on Thursday, aimed to boost specialist training and drive innovation in surgery.
RobMed Global, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and Redeemer's University joined forces to set up the Redeemer's Health Village (RHV) Robotic Surgery Academy.
At the opening ceremony, Alausa stated that the project would widen access to sophisticated clinical training and build up domestic capability in specialised healthcare.
According to him, the Federal Government has spent roughly N250 billion over the last two years on training doctors and other health professionals. The aim is to strengthen teaching and the capacity of institutions, including the robotic surgery academy.
Alausa also noted that the government was working to raise the number of places offered on courses in medicine and nursing. The robotic surgery academy is meant to support this push. This is to meet the nation's rising healthcare demands.
“The same number of medical students admitted while I was in medical school is the same number we have maintained over the years,” he said. This point applies to the robotic surgery academy as much as to any other programme.
He went on to say that this had carried on without adequate regard for the growth in the country's population. The robotic surgery academy arrives against that backdrop.
According to Alausa, the number of students enrolling in medical programmes each year is projected to climb to 20,000 over the coming two years.
The minister explained that the government wanted to develop homegrown expertise so that fewer Nigerians would have to go overseas for specialist training.
Alausa pledged that medical professionals who meet the requirements would be sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to study at the academy.
He further disclosed that the domestic scholarship arm of TETFund, which covers 28 approved institutions, would also extend to the academy.
The minister also praised Nigerian professionals living abroad for backing the initiative and helping to grow specialist healthcare.
Partners Outline the Robotic Surgery Academy's training plans
Before him, Dr Adedamola Dada, Chief Executive Officer of RHV, stated that the academy was set up to build a lasting supply of professionals trained in robotic surgery.
Dada said the institution intends to train 400 specialists and surgeons in robotic surgery over two years. This is part of efforts to boost the country's capacity for advanced operations.
He explained that the programme will cover gynaecology, urology and general surgery, and will also teach theatre staff, hospital administrators and biomedical engineers.
Dada also disclosed that the institution has purchased two surgical robots worth four million dollars, which will be used for both patient care and teaching.
The National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, he said, will take charge of the fellowship diploma course at postgraduate level. It will also certify surgeons who complete the training.
Dada added that Redeemer's University will train nurses, plus technical personnel such as biomedical engineers, who are needed to run and service the robotic surgical systems.
“The aim of this academy is to ensure that the introduction of robotic technology is accompanied by the skilled workforce needed to use it safely and effectively,” Dada said.
Dada further announced that RHV was recently accredited as a school of medicine, which he called a milestone for the advancement of healthcare.
Prof. Obi Ekwenna, who helped found RoboMed Global, said the institute was set up to train biomedical engineers, nurses and surgeons for operations assisted by robots. The aim is that such procedures can be done without putting safety at risk.
According to Ekwenna, the curriculum would cover the following
- simulation exercises
- a check on how experienced each surgeon is
- clinical practice under supervision
- a careful choice of which patients are treated
According to him, the academy will take its cue from aviation when it comes to safety. It will stress cooperation among colleagues, plain and clear communication, and a staff of clinicians and technicians who have received proper training.
Read More: University Of Lagos Sets Stage For AI And Robotics Summit
“The essence of the academy is to train the entire ecosystem, not just surgeons alone,” he said.
According to Ekwenna, robotic surgery depends on contributions from a number of different medical specialities working together, and he praised the congregation, RHV and the remaining partners taking part.
Prof. Shadrach Akindele, the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer's University, described the academy as a milestone for medical innovation and for patient care driven by technology.
Akindele argued that surgery assisted by robots promises sharper precision and a higher standard of clinical training. He was firm, though, that the needs of patients must always be what the technology is there to serve.
According to him, how well the graduates perform will hinge on their skill, their dedication to keeping patients safe, and what they add to better surgical care.
The partners, he urged, should give priority to demanding training, ethical conduct, research and collaboration across borders, so that West Africa becomes a centre of excellence for robotic surgery.
Dr Anthony Ikefuna, who is President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, stated that the institution would widen specialist training and back digital healthcare.
Ikefuna added that offering advanced surgical training inside Nigeria could build home-grown expertise and cut down on medical tourism.
In September, RHV carried out its first robot-assisted operation and, together with RoboMed Global, what it called the first telesurgical procedure in Nigeria.
The Redeemer's Health Village, a medical institution with a faith-based foundation, belongs to the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
