Nigeria's Healthcare Evolution: Kelina Hospital Curbs Medical Tourism with Record Prostate Surgeries
January 25, 2026
Kelina Hospital in Lagos is significantly advancing Nigeria's specialized healthcare capabilities, directly influencing the flow of international patients. The facility’s record prostate surgery volume in 2025 demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing domestic quality of care and reducing reliance on cross-border healthcare.
Advancing Urological Care and Stemming Patient Travel
Dr Celsus Undie, President of Kelina Hospital and a consultant urological surgeon, announced 212 prostate surgeries in 2025. These procedures, for prostate cancer and benign prostatic enlargement, represent Nigeria's highest annual volume for such operations. This achievement underscores the nation's growing potential as a robust healthcare destination, effectively curbing patient travel abroad.
Undie highlighted a significant accomplishment: "Completing 100 prostate cancer surgeries in two years without a single mortality is worth celebrating and commemorating." By January 2026, the hospital had performed 101 prostate cancer surgeries in two years.
Pioneering Advanced Surgical Techniques
Kelina Hospital pioneered Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) surgery in Nigeria in late 2018. This technique, known for reduced bleeding and quicker recovery, has seen over 600 procedures since 2019 with a mortality rate under 0.2 percent. This is remarkably lower than the 3.2 to 6 percent surgical mortality rates reported by the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Undie remarked, "Our mortality rate, which is under one per cent, is something we are extremely proud of, considering our limitations."
The hospital also offers advanced radical prostatectomy, predominantly using robotic-assisted methods for early-stage prostate cancer, showcasing cutting-edge quality of care.
Strategic Outlook
To further expand services and reinforce Nigeria's position as a premier healthcare destination, Dr Undie advocates for stronger government support, including tax exemptions for the health sector. This aims to empower facilities like Kelina Hospital to continue reversing medical tourism trends.
Bottom Line
Kelina Hospital's milestones reshape Nigeria's healthcare sector and its impact on medical tourism:
Record Surgeries: 212 prostate surgeries in 2025, a national high.
Superior Outcomes: Exceptional mortality rates for HoLEP and prostate cancer surgeries, well below international averages.
Technological Leadership: Pioneering HoLEP and employing robotic radical prostatectomy.
Policy Advocacy: Call for government tax exemptions to foster growth and reduce patient travel abroad.
Read the full article here: https://nannews.ng/2026/01/26/medical-tourism-kelina-hospital-performs-212-prostate-surgeries-in-2025/