Metropolitan Hospital Performs Region’s First Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgeries

Metropolitan Hospital Performs Region’s First Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgeries

Metropolitan Hospital, Nairobi, recently achieved a historic medical milestone for East and Central Africa.

In a clinical partnership with India’s Marengo Asia Hospitals, the facility successfully performed the region’s first robotic-assisted knee replacement surgeries on December 10, 2025.

This achievement marks a significant leap forward in precision-based orthopaedic care and strengthens Kenya’s position as a regional medical hub.

A Partnership for Precision and Skill Transfer

The successful procedures resulted from a structured collaboration focused on clinical governance and skills transfer.

To begin with, the inaugural case was led by Dr. Faraj Alkizim of Metropolitan Hospital, who worked alongside Indian specialists Dr. Anurag Aggarwal and Dr. Rohit Thakkar.

Subsequently, a second procedure was performed by Dr. Nathan Khamala with support from the same specialist team.

According to Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, Founder and CEO of Metropolitan Hospital, this introduction of robotic technology expands access to high-precision care within the region.

He emphasized that the program reflects over 30 years of investment in infrastructure and medical technology. Furthermore, he noted that such innovations are essential for building local capacity in specialized medical fields.

Metropolitan Hospital Performs Region’s First Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgeries

Addressing the Rising Burden of Arthritis

Knee replacement surgery typically becomes necessary when joint damage from injury or wear and tear makes daily activities painful. Specifically, osteoarthritis remains the most common reason patients require these interventions.

In Kenya, the demand for such care is growing rapidly. For instance, a 2024 study in Nyamira County reported an arthritis prevalence of 44.6% among adults over 40.

Consequently, the move toward robotic assistance offers significant clinical advantages. Dr. Faraj Alkizim explained that the system supports surgeons with patient-specific planning and highly precise bone preparation.

This accuracy improves the alignment of components, which ultimately helps patients recover more effectively closer to home.

Reducing the Need for Medical Tourism

Currently, many Kenyans seek specialized treatment abroad due to a perceived lack of advanced local options. However, this partnership aims to change that narrative.

Dr. Raajiv Singhal, CEO of Marengo Asia Hospitals, described their approach as “Teach, Train, and Treat.” By working closely with local teams to embed global standards, the collaboration seeks to reduce the necessity for cross-border medical travel.

Moreover, Metropolitan Hospital already maintains a strong track record in orthopaedics. A 2025 peer-reviewed study documented that the hospital performed over 140 total knee replacements in a five-month period in 2023 alone. The addition of the robotic system, supplied by Meril Life Sciences, merely builds upon this established foundation of excellence.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Advanced Care

In the future, Metropolitan and Marengo Asia Hospitals intend to continue their clinical partnership to expand training and scale access to these procedures.

With the support of partners like Wessex Pharmaceuticals and KCB, the program will continue to build local surgical expertise. As a result, more patients in East and Central Africa will soon benefit from the world-class precision that robotic-assisted surgery provides.