Angola performs first renal robotic surgeries

Pinto Kafumana, 52 years old, was the first patient to be operated, in the Complexo Hospitalar Cardinal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento (CHDCP), in Luanda, after two years suffering due to a kidney problem.

“ I had a problem with hematuria, urinated blood, had an appointment and was diagnosed with a kidney tumor”, said Pinto Kafumana, after surgery.

He reported that he had previously gone to the neighbouring Republic of Namibia for treatment, but the high costs made him return to the country, thanking the Angolan Head of State for investing in this infrastructure.

The team of doctors has ahead Oséas Neves, Brazilian urologist and robotic surgeon, who highlighted the advantages of these surgeries, namely less bleeding and pain, and the patient's return to his activities more quickly.

“The first surgery occurred without any problem, the surgical time was short, it was fast, the patient had a tumor in the right kidney and thank God everything went according to plan, the patient is fine, he is having a good evolution,” he said.

In his third mission to Angola, the doctor classified as “a very important milestone robotic surgery in Angola”, because it is a rapid surgical procedure, “now with a local team”.

Oséas Neves stressed that the main causes of kidney surgery are cancer, loss of kidney function, kidney stones, infections, large kidney cysts, and the operation of cysts above 10 and 15 centimeters is planned for this campaign.

In turn, Feliciano Direito, a urologist for 14 years, emphasized that 15 robotic surgeons are in training in general surgery, gynecology and urology specialties.

“ Gradually we engage, it is a process, it is an innovation, we are already doing the surgeries, but with the supervision of Dr. Oseas' team ", stressed, added that the kidney problems in Angola are worrying.

“ There are several pathologies that can compromise the kidneys, mainly tumors, cysts, kidney stones, which are kidney stones, and multiple situations that can affect the kidney,” he said.

To the patients, the Angolan doctor called for them to “trust the Angolan team”, because robotic surgery is a reality in Angola.

“ In the old days, to have access to such a surgery, it was necessary to travel, to spend various resources, today, our government, the Ministry of Health, has already put the operating system, which they trust, is a reality”, he emphasized.

Polino Paxi, a urologist, stressed that other campaigns have already been conducted and that “the Angolan teams are gaining independence”.

“ The example is what has been seen in the last surgeries, both from gynecology, which took place until Sunday, as well as from urology, which are now taking place, are already being done essentially by national teams”, he said.

This is the 8th Campaign of Robotic Surgery, which already counts 145 procedures and 15 trained Angolan surgeons, in a program that began in August 2024.

The initiative integrates the strategy of modernization of health care, introduction of differentiated technologies and progressive strengthening of the competencies of Angolan professionals, points out, in a note, the Ministry of Health.