Nigeria may soon emerge as a leading medical tourism destination for prostate treatment, following a groundbreaking medical achievement at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos. A team led by Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, Consultant Urological, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Surgeon, successfully performed the country’s first UroLift surgery — a milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare innovation.
Founded by Professor Ekwueme, a Nigerian expert who returned from the diaspora, The Prostate Clinic is setting new standards in advanced prostate care and reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign hospitals. For years, thousands of Nigerians have spent millions abroad seeking prostate treatment, with many facing dire outcomes due to high costs and limited access to timely care. Experts estimate that Nigeria loses billions annually to medical tourism, much of it from men battling prostate enlargement and related disorders. With this new achievement, Nigerian men now have access to a safe, effective, and affordable treatment previously available only overseas.
During a live demonstration witnessed by *Vanguard*, the procedure — medically known as the Prostate Urethral Lift or UroLift — was described as minimally invasive and completed in under an hour. Using a telescope, the prostate was visualised through the urethra, and tiny UroLift implants were deployed to separate the obstructing prostate tissue. Unlike conventional surgeries, no tissue was cut or removed.
Professor Ekwueme highlighted the procedure’s unique advantage: “Erection and ejaculation are fully preserved after the operation,” he said, noting that patients typically return home the same day. The surgery can be performed under local or spinal anaesthesia and is suitable for men whose prostate size does not exceed 80 millilitres.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prostate disorders, particularly cancer and benign enlargement, pose a significant health burden in Nigeria. The WHO estimates that one in six Nigerian men will develop a prostate condition in his lifetime, with prostate cancer accounting for over 29 percent of all male cancers in the country.
Experts link the high mortality rate to poor screening, late presentation, and limited access to modern treatments. Professor Ekwueme believes that innovations like UroLift can drastically change that narrative by offering timely, safe, and effective solutions locally.
“Nigerians travel abroad for treatment and are often mistreated or overcharged,” he lamented. “With the UroLift now available here, patients no longer need to travel overseas. It’s modern, safe, and accessible right here in Nigeria.” Beyond saving costs, he noted that local access to such advanced care ensures better follow-up and quality control — often lacking when treatment is sought abroad.
Ekwueme also cautioned men against ignoring warning signs such as frequent urination, nighttime urination, or bladder control issues. “If untreated, prostate enlargement can block urine flow, cause severe pain, damage the bladder, and even lead to kidney failure,” he explained.
He emphasised that the UroLift’s major advantage is restoring normal urinary function without affecting sexual performance — a key concern for many men. “There’s no effect on erection and no loss of ejaculation. For young men who still want to father children, that’s a major breakthrough,” he said.
Professor Ekwueme reaffirmed his vision for The Prostate Clinic: “Our goal is to make Nigeria the prostate treatment hub of Africa. We’ve successfully launched robotic surgeries for prostate cancer and now the first UroLift in Nigeria. This is just the beginning.”
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/
