Grandville Medical Centre in Surulere, Lagos, has commissioned Nigeria’s first 160-watt Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) system, bringing an advanced surgical option for benign prostate enlargement to the country.
The Potent 160W laser system, featuring Cannon Double Pulse technology, was introduced through a partnership between Think Robotic and Health Limited and Highendurology Nigeria Limited. Its installation adds a specialised treatment option to Nigeria’s healthcare facilities for men whose enlarged prostate obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder.
HoLEP treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, by removing excess tissue through the urethra. The procedure does not require an external incision and is designed to reduce blood loss and surgical trauma, limit complications and support faster recovery compared with conventional open surgery.
Dr Taiwo Alabi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Highendurology Nigeria Limited and Think Robotic and Health Limited, described the equipment as a major addition to the country’s urological services. He also heads the Urology Division at Grandville Medical Centre and chairs the Nigerian Medical Association’s Ad-hoc Committee on Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“This is the gold standard for the treatment of benign enlargement of the prostate all over the world. So, we are happy to bring this huge innovation. This is a 160-watt Potent Holmium Laser Machine, the first of its kind in Nigeria, for the benefit of Lagosians and all Nigerians,” Alabi said.
He explained that surgeons use a specialised instrument passed through the urethra to reach and remove the obstructing prostate tissue, avoiding the external cuts associated with open surgery.
The equipment is intended for BPH, which should be distinguished from other prostate disorders. Prostatitis involves inflammation of the gland and can sometimes result from bacterial infection, while prostate cancer is a separate disease requiring its own diagnosis and treatment.
According to Dr Ayobami Aranmolate, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Grandville Medical Group, the investment must be matched by the expertise needed to operate the equipment effectively. A plastic surgeon, he noted that laser technology has applications across several medical specialties, including urology and plastic surgery, and continues to evolve.
“Laser technology has been around for a long time, but technology continues to evolve. What we are introducing is an advancement in how we use laser energy to address urological problems,” Aranmolate said.
He stressed that acquiring sophisticated equipment without the necessary skills would achieve little. He called on the government to create conditions that encourage private investment in healthcare, arguing that improved infrastructure and specialist training are essential to expanding access to advanced treatment. He also urged men experiencing urinary difficulties or other prostate-related symptoms to seek medical advice.
Prof. Akin Osibogun, who chaired the commissioning, commended the doctors behind the initiative. A professor of medicine, consultant public health physician and epidemiologist, Osibogun is a former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and immediate past President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
He said the availability of the procedure in Nigeria could spare some patients the high costs of travelling abroad for treatment. He also highlighted the financial advantages of collaboration among healthcare providers seeking to acquire expensive medical equipment.
“I think we must commend these doctors for coming together to provide this service for Nigerians. The service they are providing is one that Nigerians used to travel abroad to obtain at very high cost,” Osibogun said.
He added that practitioners who pool their resources and combine their areas of expertise are better positioned to invest in advanced medical facilities.
“When individual practitioners collaborate, they can share the financial burden and combine their areas of expertise. Coming together allows for the pooling of resources. When you can pool resources, you can invest in high-end equipment,” he said.
The arrival of the 160W HoLEP system at Grandville Medical Centre puts a specialised prostate procedure within Nigeria’s reach, but the real test lies beyond the commissioning ceremony. Patients must be able to afford the treatment, trained urologists must be available to perform it, and hospitals must sustain the investment required to keep the technology in service. Whether this installation marks lasting progress will depend on how effectively Nigerian healthcare providers turn such investments into accessible, dependable medical care.
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