Breakthrough on prostate cancer

•Invasive surgery to the rescue, frequent sex myths not scientifically provenBy Doris ObinnaIn a country where medical tourism has long been the safety net for Nigeria’s elite and middle class, the average citizen still wrestles with a healthcare system plagued by inequality, outdated infrastructure, and a chronic lack of trust. With about 500 surgeries performed in six years, a private specialty facility, Kelina Hospital, in minimally invasive surgery, is gradually rewriting Nigeria’s medical narrative and is emerging as a beacon of hope; proof that world-class care is not out of reach for Nigerians. googletag.

cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0'); }); According to experts, Holmium Laser Enucleation (HoLEP) is a procedure; minimally invasive surgery used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) known as enlarged prostate in men.



The Urologist experts further disclosed that the American Urological Association and the European Association of Urology both recommend HoLEP as the best for prostate that are more than 80 to 100g in size.They added that HoLEP is very effective in removing extra prostate tissue due to an enlarged prostate, compared to open surgery (prostatectomy), which is the surgical removal of the prostate. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); Speaking to Daily Sun, Medical Director, Dr.

Celsus Undie, explained that by the next day after surgery, the patient is up and doing. “They are already eating on the day of surgery. The facility has become a regional pioneer in HoLEP, having performed 500 successful surgeries over the past six years.

”Explaining further, he said, this minimally invasive technique treats BPH, a common condition that enlarges the prostate and obstructs urine flow in older men.“Compared to traditional methods like Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) or open prostatectomy, HoLEP results in faster recovery, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays. The patient is often mobile within hours.

Yet, it’s not just about technology.“At Kelina, over 80 per cent of surgeries are done using local or regional anesthesia. Keeping patients awake during procedures minimizes risk and speeds up recovery.

We have performed 6,000 surgical operations since its inception, including keyhole surgery for prostate cancer, HoLEP, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive surgery for kidney stones.”Breakthrough in prostate cancer treatmentAccording to him, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting African men, with a mortality rate of 16 per 100,000 and the hospital performs over 100 prostate surgeries per year; both benign and cancerous prostate surgeries are included. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); “Despite being treatable, late diagnosis and misinformation have contributed to its deadly reputation.

In 2024 alone, the hospital performed 54 laparoscopic radical prostatectomies with outcomes that would rival top-tier international facilities. “All patients retained normal urinary control, and many experienced normal erections post-surgery, techniques to preserve erectile nerves and options like IVF for fertility preservation underline the hospital’s commitment to holistic care.“Importantly, myths on frequent sex are not scientifically proven to prevent prostate cancer.

Instead, emphasis is placed on early screening, especially for those with a family history of the disease.”Introducing robotic surgery A Consultant Urologist, Dr. Bertin Njinou, disclosed that HoLEP is the future of Africa when it comes to enlarged prostate treatment with proven advantages and they must not be left behindNjinou, who is also a Robotic Surgeon, said: “With plans to introduce Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP), the facility poised to become a continental leader in urological surgery.

“Prostate cancer disproportionately affects black men worldwide. Even Africans in the diaspora have higher incidence rates; however, early detection saves lives. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); HoLEP has as one of its benefits fast recovery compared to open prostatectomy.

Patients usually experience shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times.“Other advantages you get with the HoLEP as compared to other methods are; there’s less blood loss, the time spent using the catheter after the surgery is less, and the patients are mobile very early after the surgery. By the next day, the day after surgery, the patient is up and doing.

The patient is already eating on the day of surgery.” Turning the tide on medical tourismLamenting on the upsurge of medical tourism, Undie continued: “One of our key missions is to reverse the medical brain drain and reduce the nation’s dependence on overseas treatment. People fly abroad for routine surgeries that take less than an hour.

This not only reflects poorly on the country, but also exposes patients to unnecessary risks.“The facility offers affordable and riskless surgeries. We have the technology, the talent.

What we need now is trust. The hospital’s staff regularly undergoes international training, and visiting surgeons from around the world enrich its expertise.“We’re doing this not just for us, but in support of a future where Nigerians can confidently seek care at home, where our best doctors return, and where no one feels they have to travel abroad just to survive.

” $(document).ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).

push({})}); New dawn in healthcare Also, Head of Corporate Relations, Erica Idoko added, “We welcome collaborations as long as they’re licensed, they are welcome here.“Kelina Hospital stands as more than just a facility; it is a statement. In a country battling brain drain, institutional decay, and pervasive medical tourism, it is a defiant symbol of what’s possible when expertise meets vision.

“As the government encourages diaspora doctors to return and invests in halting outbound medical tourism, Kelina offers a ready-made model: high standards, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-first culture.“And as the hospital celebrates its milestone of 6,000 surgeries, the quiet revolution continues; one patient, one breakthrough, and one world-class surgery at a time.” $(document).

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