The president of Kelina Hospital, Dr Celsus Undie, has said more Nigerian men are seeking treatment for prostate cancer. He believes this shows the need for earlier diagnosis and wider access to specialist care.
Undie spoke in Lagos at the first anniversary of the hospital’s robotic surgery programme. He urged stronger efforts to ensure men get treated early rather than at advanced stages.
He said the scale of the problem only became clear once the hospital began offering the kind of surgery Nigerians were seeking. “The cancer burden is high, and we need to be able to help our people,” he said.
Undie linked the high rate among Africans partly to genetic factors. Even so, he stressed that Nigeria must pay more attention to diagnosis, public awareness and access to treatment.
Local Surgeons Now Lead the Procedures
According to Undie, the hospital has performed more than 50 robotic radical prostatectomies since launching the programme in September 2025. The procedures became a regular service in June 2026.
He said the Nigerian surgical team now handles the operations without visiting foreign surgeons. More than half of the patients, he added, went home a day after surgery. Recovery, however, varies from patient to patient.
Undie said treating patients at home is far cheaper than travelling abroad for help. He noted that growing local capacity could ease the cost burden on families. Affordability, equipment and access to qualified specialists remain key concerns.
Why Early Detection Matters
Prostate cancer may show no obvious symptoms in its early stages. Urinary difficulties can prompt a check-up, but they may also point to other prostate conditions and do not automatically mean cancer.
Undie said the disease is easier to manage before it spreads. “Once it spreads, treatment is not so effective,” he said. Treatment choices depend on the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health and other clinical findings. Surgery is not the only option for every patient.
Patients Share Their Experiences
Mr Joseph Ogar, who had prostate surgery in 2012, said frequent urination led him to seek medical care. He said his doctor reassured him about concerns over sexual function. He added that he is healthy and still attends regular check-ups. His outcome, however, cannot be taken as a guarantee for others.
Another patient, Ms Temilola Oke, travelled from Lagos to Abuja for treatment of kidney stones and later had surgery for a kidney abnormality in 2018. She said she is doing well and no longer takes related medication.
Hospital Calls It a Step for Nigerian Healthcare
The board chairman, Dr Ifeanyi Anago, called the robotic programme a step towards stronger local capacity for advanced care. He said it could help reduce medical tourism and the money spent on treatment abroad.
The hospital began operations in 2008 and has passed 7,000 surgeries. Its prostate services include robotic and laparoscopic cancer surgery and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), a minimally invasive procedure for an enlarged prostate.
“It may be a small step for a hospital like Kelina, but it is a giant leap for healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” Anago said.
