Metropolitan Hospital performs first robotic-assisted knee replacements in East and Central Africa

The inaugural procedures were performed on 10 December 2025 at Metropolitan Hospital under a structured clinical collaboration aimed at transferring skills and strengthening local capacity for precision-based joint replacement surgery.

The operations were conducted by joint surgical teams from the two institutions. The first case was led by Metropolitan orthopaedic surgeon Dr Faraj Alkizim, working with Marengo specialists Dr Anurag Aggarwal and Dr Rohit Thakkar. A second procedure was performed by Dr Nathan Khamala of Metropolitan Hospital, supported by the same specialist team. Hospital officials said all surgeries followed established clinical protocols, regulatory requirements and formal patient consent processes.

Metropolitan Hospital Founder and CEO Dr Kanyenje Gakombe said the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery would improve access to advanced orthopaedic care in Kenya and the wider region.

“This programme reflects long-term investment in training, infrastructure and medical technology to ensure complex procedures can be delivered safely and consistently, while building local capacity through partnerships,” he said.

Knee replacement surgery is typically recommended when damage to the joint causes persistent pain and limits daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs. The most common cause is osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition in which the cartilage cushioning the joint gradually wears away, although trauma, fractures and inflammatory joint diseases can also lead to severe damage.

Demand for joint replacement surgery continues to rise globally as populations age. In Kenya, a 2024 community study published in the Pan African Medical Journal reported an arthritis prevalence of 44.6 per cent among adults aged 40 years and above in rural Nyamira County, highlighting the growing burden of musculoskeletal disease.

Dr Alkizim said robotic-assisted surgery supports more accurate planning and execution of knee replacements.

“The technology allows for patient-specific planning and precise bone preparation, improving alignment and positioning of implants and helping patients access advanced care closer to home,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Health, many Kenyans still travel abroad for specialised treatment, underscoring the need to strengthen local referral centres and advanced surgical services.

Metropolitan Hospital previously established an arthroplasty programme documented in a 2025 study in the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, which reported more than 140 total knee replacements performed at the hospital between January and May 2023.

Marengo Asia Hospitals Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Raajiv Singhal said the partnership focused on embedding international standards through training and clinical governance.

“Our goal is to support local teams so that patients do not have to travel across borders for advanced orthopaedic treatment,” he said.

The robotic system used in the procedures was supplied by Meril Life Sciences, with programme support from Wessex Pharmaceuticals and KCB.

The two hospitals said the partnership will continue with further training and the expansion of robotic-assisted procedures as part of broader capacity-building in specialised orthopaedic care.