Metropolitan Hospital Performs First Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgeries in Africa
Metropolitan Hospital in Nairobi, in partnership with Marengo Asia Hospitals of India, has successfully performed the first robotic-assisted knee replacement surgeries in East and Central Africa, marking a major milestone in advanced orthopaedic care in the region. The inaugural procedures were completed on December 10, 2025, at the hospital’s facility.
The surgeries were carried out under a structured clinical partnership focused on skills transfer and strong clinical governance, aimed at building local capacity for precision-based orthopaedic surgery and expanding access to advanced joint replacement services. The procedures were jointly performed by orthopaedic surgeons from both institutions, demonstrating a collaborative model designed to embed global standards into local practice.
The first surgery was led by Metropolitan Hospital’s Dr. Faraj Alkizim, working alongside Marengo Asia Hospitals’ specialists Dr. Anurag Aggarwal and Dr. Rohit Thakkar. A second procedure was performed by Metropolitan’s Dr. Nathan Khamala, supported by the same specialist team. All surgeries followed established clinical protocols, regulatory requirements and documented patient consent processes.
Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, Founder and CEO of Metropolitan Hospital, said the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery represents the outcome of decades of investment in clinical training, infrastructure and medical technology. He noted that the initiative expands access to high-precision orthopaedic care in Kenya and the wider region, while reinforcing the importance of partnerships and innovation in building specialised medical capacity.
Knee replacement surgery is typically recommended when severe joint damage makes daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs or standing painful and difficult. Such damage is often caused by long-term wear and tear, injuries, previous fractures or inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition in which joint cartilage gradually wears away, remains the leading cause of knee replacement globally.
Demand for joint replacement procedures continues to rise as populations age and musculoskeletal conditions become more prevalent. In Kenya, a 2024 community study published in the Pan African Medical Journal reported an arthritis prevalence of 44.6% among adults aged 40 years and above in rural Nyamira County, highlighting the growing need for strengthened orthopaedic services.
Dr. Faraj Alkizim said robotic-assisted knee replacement allows for patient-specific planning and greater precision in bone preparation and implant positioning, helping improve surgical accuracy and outcomes while enabling patients to access advanced care closer to home.
The Ministry of Health has repeatedly noted that many Kenyans still seek specialised treatment abroad, underlining the importance of developing local centres of excellence and regional referral capacity. Metropolitan Hospital’s established arthroplasty programme, documented in a 2025 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, reported over 140 total knee replacement procedures between January and May 2023, laying a strong foundation for the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery.
Dr. Raajiv Singhal, Group Managing Director and CEO of Marengo Asia Hospitals, said the collaboration reflects the group’s “Teach, Train and Treat” approach, working closely with local teams to embed global standards of planning, execution and governance while reducing the need for cross-border treatment.
The robotic system used in the surgeries was supplied by Meril Life Sciences, with programme support from Wessex Pharmaceuticals and KCB. Metropolitan Hospital and Marengo Asia Hospitals will continue their clinical partnership to expand training, strengthen governance and scale access to advanced orthopaedic care, including additional robotic-assisted procedures and ongoing capacity building for local surgical teams.
