KUWAIT CITY, Dec 21: Sabah Al-Ahmad Kidney and Urology Center has successfully performed the first radical prostatectomy in the Middle East using the Medbot Toumai remote robot. The groundbreaking procedure was conducted on a Kuwaiti patient diagnosed with cancer, positioning Kuwait as one of the first countries globally to execute such complex and advanced surgeries.

Dr. Saad Al-Dosari, the head of the center and the surgeon who performed the operation remotely from China, highlighted the achievement in a phone interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Friday. He emphasized that this milestone represents a significant addition to Kuwait's record of health achievements and marks a unique medical accomplishment in the Middle East, showcasing the evolving capabilities of robotic surgery in the region.

Dr. Al-Dosari explained that the remarkable aspect of this procedure was the distance of approximately 7,000 kilometers between the patient in Kuwait and the surgeon in China. "The operation was performed as if I were physically present in Kuwait," he noted. While robotic surgeries have been conducted at the center since 2014, this "remote" robotic surgery, also known as telesurgery, is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East.

Ensuring patient safety remained the top priority. A complete team from Sabah Al-Ahmad Center, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses, was present in the operating room in Kuwait to intervene if needed. Dr. Al-Dosari stressed that the surgery was carried out with precision, as though the surgical team was physically present alongside the patient.

He highlighted the importance of remote robotic surgeries, noting that they facilitate the exchange of expertise, enable the performance of complex procedures in collaboration with international centers, and provide valuable training opportunities for national medical teams to use robotic technology from any location.

Dr. Al-Dosari also acknowledged the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, emphasizing that this achievement aligns Kuwait with countries that prioritize adopting the latest advancements in surgical technology.

He extended heartfelt gratitude to the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, for his unwavering support of such cutting-edge initiatives, describing this accomplishment as a qualitative leap in the field of health technology.