*Idachama, First Robotic Surgery Patient, Recounts Experience
DELTA StateGovernor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the General Overseer (GO) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for his commitment to advancing renal healthcare and giving back to society through the establishment of the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.
Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, in his remarks at the official commissioning of the dialysis centre, established by the RCCG and donated to the FMC, Asaba, described the centre as more than a medical facility, saying it represented a centre of hope and life-saving care for people living with kidney disease.
The governor assured patients suffering from kidney-related ailments that the facility would help reduce the challenges associated with accessing dialysis services, as the new centre is equipped to provide such in a safe and reliable environment.
He stated: “On behalf of the people of Delta State, I sincerely appreciate Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife, Folu, and all those who made this project possible.”
The governor described the centre as a lasting legacy of the Adeboyes’ commitment to humanity, saying healthcare remained a fundamental responsibility of his administration’s MORE Agenda, assuring that government would continue to improve healthcare facilities across the state.
Oborevwori charged the management and staff of the institution to ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the donated facilities, while also ensuring that patients receive adequate and quality care.
Also speaking, the Asagba of Asaba, Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, described the RCCG gesture as unique and commendable.
The Asagba congratulated the management and staff of the hospital for receiving such a magnificent gift that would contribute significantly to saving lives and improving healthcare delivery in the state.
He recalled that over 150 years ago, missionaries came to Asaba with the Bible and contributed immensely to the establishment of schools and churches in the community, saying the RCCG initiative represented a different dimension of social responsibility by giving directly and freely to the community in a manner that would have a lasting impact on lives.
The monarch commended RCCG for its positive contribution to society, saying the dialysis centre would not only save numerous lives, but also strengthen the capacity of the FMC to provide specialised healthcare services and move towards becoming a centre of excellence.
He recalled that in the same spirit of community intervention, the Asaba Community on April 22, this year, donated one dialysis machine to the FMC, and another to the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), saying such initiatives reflect the belief that traditional institutions, religious organisations and other stakeholders have a responsibility to partner with government in strengthening the healthcare system.
He expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government for its commitment to improving healthcare services, the state having witnessed significant attention and interventions in the health sector.
The Asagba described the RCCG’s gesture as one of the greatest forms of evangelisation, stressing that beyond preaching, acts of love and practical assistance to humanity demonstrate the essence of Christian faith.
He urged other faith-based organisations in the state capital to explore opportunities to partner with government and the traditional institution in addressing critical social and healthcare needs, saying that the Asaba Community was making necessary contacts and exploring partnerships with foreign bodies and diplomatic representatives towards attracting support for the establishment of a cancer centre in Asaba.
Such facility, he said, has become imperative, especially as cancer patients currently face significant challenges in accessing specialised cancer treatment within the state.
He called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery, expressing appreciation to RCCG and all those who contributed to the establishment of the dialysis centre.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Ekanem Omo, expressed appreciation to Adeboye and the RCCG leadership for the donation, noting that the equipment would significantly improve the hospital’s capacity to provide dialysis services to patients, adding that the machines would enable the facility to dialyse more patients daily.
Omo explained assured the donors that the hospital management would ensure proper and sustainable use and maintenance of the equipment.
Adeboye, who was represented by the National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, said the gesture was inspired by the biblical injunction to love one’s neighbour as oneself.
He explained that the initiative was intended not only to provide medical assistance, but also to encourage others to demonstrate love by giving back to their communities and support those in need.
Akande disclosed that the Asaba dialysis centre was the 15th such established across the country through the initiative of Adeboye, describing it as part of the church’s commitment to giving back to society and demonstrating Christian love through practical action.
The highlight of the ceremony was the cutting of the ribbon by Erijo to officially commission the centre.
Facilities donated include three dialysis machines; three brand-new dialysis couches; a water treatment plant; UPS systems; and a 30KVA diesel-powered generator to provide electricity for the centre.
Meanwhile,Pastor Alexander Idachama, the first patient to undergo robotic-assisted surgery at RCCG’s Redeemer’s Health Village Hospital at the Redemption City, Mowe, Ogun State, has described the robotic system used for the operation as world-class, following a radical prostatectomy performed with the assistance of surgical robotics.
The procedure was carried out recently at the hospital, in partnership with US-based RoboMed Global Inc., with Co-founder of RoboMed Global, Obi Ekwenna-Davis, and local physicians.
The development saw Redeemer’s Health Village and RoboMed Global perform West Africa’s first 500km telerobotic surgery, in which surgeons at the facility remotely operated on Idachama with a kidney tumour in Abuja.
The Punch reported Idachama as saying he learnt about the hospital through its Chief Executive Officer, Adedamola Dada, and decided to seek treatment there, adding: “I arrived at the hospital in the last week of August and was taken through a series of orientation sessions to acquaint me with the surgical process.”
Idachama said he subsequently met a local physician, Ifeanyi, and other members of the surgical team, who explained what he should expect before, during and after the procedure, adding that choosing Redeemer’s Health Village Hospital saved him the cost of travelling abroad for medical treatment.
The September 17 surgery involved a radical prostatectomy, a procedure in which the entire prostate gland was removed, along with surrounding tissue, including the seminal vesicles, and where indicated, nearby pelvic lymph nodes.
It is primarily used as a treatment for localised prostate cancer.
Idachama said he was discharged less than 24 hours after the procedure, noting that although he experienced mild pain, following the operation, “the pain subsided quickly.”
He said robotic-assisted surgery offered greater surgical precision, significantly less pain and a gentler impact on patients, describing Redeemer’s Health Village Hospital facilities as comparable to the best in the world.
Idachama, who holds a doctorate degree in electrical engineering, a researcher specialising in electronics, electrical communication and smart grid applications, is also a pastor of the RCCG.
(Additional reports by Punch, lfesiokwu Zealinjor)
