Details emerge: Ogun Hospital Achieves Robotic Surgery First with Pastor Idachama

Pastor Alexander Idachama has etched his name in Nigerian medical history as the inaugural patient to undergo a robotic-assisted surgical procedure at Redeemer’s Health Village Hospital, located in Redemption City, Ogun State. The significant operation, a radical prostatectomy, was recently performed with the aid of advanced surgical robotics. This medical milestone was achieved through a collaborative effort between the hospital and US-based RoboMed Global Inc. The surgical team was spearheaded by Professor Obi Ekwenna-Davis, a co-founder of RoboMed Global, alongside local medical professionals, including Dr. Ifeanyi.

Beyond this individual case, Redeemer’s Health Village and RoboMed Global have also made headlines for executing what is believed to be West Africa’s first 500km telerobotic surgery. In this innovative procedure, surgeons situated in Ogun State remotely operated on a patient in Abuja who was suffering from a kidney tumour.

Pastor Idachama shared his personal account of the experience in a social media post, which was monitored by Church Times and published on September 22, following his operation. He recounted discovering the hospital through its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adedamola Dada, and subsequently opting to receive treatment there. "I arrived at the hospital in the last week of August and was taken through a series of orientation sessions to acquaint me with the surgical process," Idachama stated. He further explained that he later met Dr. Ifeanyi and other members of the surgical team, who meticulously briefed him on what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. He praised the robotic system utilized for his surgery, describing it as "world-class."

A notable benefit for Pastor Idachama was avoiding the considerable expense and inconvenience of traveling abroad for medical attention, as the hospital offered a local solution. The radical prostatectomy he underwent involves the complete removal of the prostate gland, along with surrounding tissues such as the seminal vesicles, and potentially nearby pelvic lymph nodes if indicated. This procedure is primarily employed in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Remarkably, Pastor Idachama was discharged from the hospital less than 24 hours post-procedure. While he experienced some mild discomfort initially, he affirmed that "the pain subsided quickly." Reflecting on his recovery, the pastor highlighted the advantages of robotic-assisted surgery, noting its "greater surgical precision, significantly less pain and a gentler impact on patients." He expressed his strong intention to recommend Redeemer’s Health Village Hospital to his acquaintances and family, asserting that its facilities are "comparable to the best in the world."

This advancement at Redeemer’s Health Village underscores the increasing integration of robotic-assisted surgery into Nigerian medical practice. PUNCH Online had previously reported on September 17 about the surgery performed on a middle-aged man at the facility. Surgeons at Redeemer’s Health Village in Ogun State have consistently pointed out that robotic surgery leads to reduced patient pain and shorter hospital stays due to the use of smaller incisions, which minimize tissue damage.

It is noteworthy that Pastor Idachama holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and is an active researcher specializing in electronics, electrical communication, and smart grid applications. According to an interview he gave, Pastor Idachama also serves as a pastor within the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the extensive global church network that is the proprietor and operator of the Redeemer’s Health Village medical facility.