Nigerian men living with prostate enlargement now have access to an advanced treatment option following the commissioning of the country’s first 160-watt Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) system at Grandville Medical Centre, Lagos.
The equipment was introduced by Think Robotic and Health Limited in collaboration with Highendurology Nigeria Limited, with healthcare professionals describing the development as a significant step towards expanding access to minimally invasive urological care and reducing medical tourism.
The Potent 160W HoLEP laser system, featuring Cannon Double Pulse technology, is designed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Highendurology Nigeria Limited and Think Robotic and Health Limited, Dr Taiwo Alabi, described HoLEP as a leading treatment option for benign prostate enlargement.
Alabi, who also heads the Urology Division at Grandville Medical Centre, explained that the procedure involves passing specialised instruments through the urethra to remove excess prostate tissue without making an external incision.
He said the technology could minimise surgical trauma and blood loss while supporting faster recovery compared with conventional open surgery.
Alabi, an endourologist and Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association’s Ad-hoc Committee on Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said the introduction of the equipment would improve access to advanced prostate treatment for patients in Lagos and other parts of the country.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Grandville Medical Group, Dr Ayobami Aranmolate, said the investment could help reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for specialised medical procedures.
Aranmolate stressed, however, that acquiring advanced equipment must be accompanied by the development of the expertise required to operate it effectively.
He urged the government to create a more conducive environment for private-sector investment in healthcare, noting that modern equipment, skilled professionals and adequate infrastructure were essential to improving service delivery.
Chairman of the commissioning, Professor Akin Osibogun, a former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, commended the doctors for collaborating to make specialised treatment available locally.
Osibogun said such investments could help patients access procedures previously sought abroad, potentially reducing costs and allowing them to receive care closer to home.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among private healthcare providers, explaining that partnerships could enable practitioners to pool resources, share expertise and invest in advanced medical technology.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Professor Afekhide Omoti, represented by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Olayinka Atilola, said the introduction of the system demonstrated the potential to provide more specialised medical services within Nigeria.
Omoti urged the government to introduce incentives and improve operating conditions for private medical practitioners to encourage further investment in healthcare infrastructure.
The commissioning featured an endourological workshop on HoLEP, organised by Grandville Medical Group in collaboration with Highendurology, the Association of Urological Surgeons of Nigeria and Potent Medical.
The workshop brought together medical practitioners from the public and private sectors, including members of the Nigerian Medical Association and the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, to discuss advances in minimally invasive surgery and emerging technologies in urological care.
Healthcare professionals at the event expressed optimism that increased investment in specialised equipment, professional training and public-private collaboration could improve access to advanced treatment and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on medical services abroad.
