Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has approved plans for the establishment of a robotic surgical centre following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with IDCL Surgicals Limited.
The agreement was formalised on Tuesday in Owerri, with Uzodimma describing the project as a significant milestone in the modernisation of healthcare services in the state. He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to attracting private-sector investment and expanding access to advanced medical care.
“The objective is to strengthen our healthcare infrastructure and position Imo as a centre for specialised medical services and medical tourism,” the governor said.
Uzodimma explained that the proposed facility would also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals, helping to build local capacity in advanced surgical procedures.
Under the terms of the partnership, Heartland Hospital Management Corporation Limited will manage hospital operations and clinical services, while IDCL Surgicals Limited will be responsible for technical delivery, including the installation of equipment and provision of operational support.
Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a consultant urological and robotic surgeon who led the IDCL delegation, described the project as a landmark development and Nigeria’s first dedicated robotic surgical centre. He said the facility would offer minimally invasive procedures using Da Vinci robotic technology, enabling greater surgical accuracy, faster patient recovery and improved outcomes.
Ekwueme said the centre would play a vital role in improving healthcare standards and stimulating economic growth in the state. He praised Uzodimma’s leadership in expanding access to healthcare, pointing to the enrolment of over 1.5 million Imo residents in the state’s free health insurance programme, and assured that the company was fully committed to delivering the project on schedule.
