The future of robotic surgery in Africa should be judged by patients treated well — Dr Chichi Menakaya

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Chichi Menakaya is a UK-based Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in robotic-assisted hip and knee surgery, ...

Chichi Menakaya is a UK-based Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in robotic-assisted hip and knee surgery, with independent operative expertise across five robotic surgical platforms. She holds a Master’s degree in Surgical Technology and is the Founder of Annomo Health.

Her expertise extends beyond clinical practice to healthcare management, surgical innovation, specialist education and strategic healthcare development.

She has however, developed a particular interest in advancing surgical excellence through clinical readiness, institutional partnerships, workforce development and the establishment of sustainable, high-quality healthcare systems, particularly across Africa.

In this interview with IFEOMA OKEKE-KORIEOCHA, she speaks on how best Nigeria can achieve excellence in robotic surgery, the pitfalls and her experience in clinical practice amongst other issues. Excepts:

Nigeria is entering a defining moment in surgical innovation. In a landmark demonstration of remote robotic surgery, a surgeon operating from Ogun State performed a procedure on a patient in Abuja. In Imo State, robotic-assisted urological surgery is becoming a reality. How significant are they?

They deserve recognition. These achievements demonstrate surgical ambition, institutional commitment and the ability to deliver sophisticated procedures in Nigeria. I am equally encouraged by the investment in local robotic surgery training. The breakthrough is not just performing the first operation; it is building a service capable of delivering safe, consistent care long after the first. The real measures are patient outcomes, trained teams and continuity.

Parts of Africa are ready. Readiness is determined by the institution, not the continent. We have highly capable surgeons and emerging centres with advanced capabilities, but a robotic programme also needs theatre teams, anaesthesia, maintenance, reliable infrastructure and clinical governance.

It assists the surgeon; it does not…

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