Doctors at Lyari General Hospital in Karachi have successfully performed Pakistan’s first cross-border telerobotic gynecological surgery, with surgeons from Kuwait conducting the procedure alongside local colleagues. The milestone event demonstrates the potential of remote robotic surgery to transform the country’s healthcare system and highlights advancements in telemedicine, digital health infrastructure, and international medical collaboration. The operation was conducted with Kuwaiti surgeons remotely controlling a robotic system from approximately 1,600 kilometers away, using an internet speed of 30 megabytes per second. Remarkably, a latency of just 30 microseconds was recorded between the surgeon’s commands and the robot’s responses, ensuring precise surgical execution.
A ceremony was held at Lyari General Hospital, where Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho inaugurated modern medical facilities, including a mortuary, a forensic section, and advanced laboratories for microbiology, biochemistry, and pathology. Additionally, a laboratory was inaugurated to provide medical students with practical training opportunities. Speaking at the event, Dr Pechuho noted that while the average cost of such an operation is approximately Rs400,000, surgeries conducted using the robotic system are currently priced at Rs150,000, making advanced surgical care more accessible. Consultant Gynecologist Oncologist Dr Anjum Rehman explained that three to four operations are being performed daily through the robotic system, emphasizing its growing role in patient care.
Robotic surgery, unlike traditional laparoscopic procedures, does not require large abdominal incisions. Instead, instruments and a camera are inserted through small openings, allowing surgeons to perform tumor removals, kidney procedures, gastrointestinal surgeries, and gynecological operations with minimal risk. Dr Pechuho confirmed that the Sindh government has provided the robotic system and that staff training is underway, with plans to expand access to other government hospitals across the province in the coming years. Dr Rehman explained that while the patient is physically present at Lyari General Hospital, the operating surgeons in Kuwait controlled the robot remotely, demonstrating the feasibility of cross-border medical treatment.
According to Dr Rehman, robotic surgery significantly reduces procedure time compared with traditional laparoscopic techniques. A surgery that would normally take approximately 30 minutes can now be completed in just 15 minutes, with lower risk of infection and no complications observed in the recent gynecological operation. Abdul Rehman, director of the company supplying the robotic system, highlighted the primary advantage of telesurgery: surgeons can operate from anywhere without traveling, providing patients with access to specialized care irrespective of geographical constraints. He noted that the system requires a minimum internet speed of 30 megabytes per second, a threshold easily met by existing networks including PTCL. Abdul Rehman also expressed optimism that the introduction of 5G services in Pakistan will further enhance the system’s efficiency, paving the way for more advanced remote surgeries and positioning Pakistan as a leader in digital healthcare innovation.
The success of this operation underscores the transformative potential of robotic telesurgery in Pakistan, not only for domestic healthcare but also for international patients seeking specialized treatment remotely. By combining precise robotics, low-latency internet connectivity, and cross-border medical expertise, this initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing surgical care, expanding access to advanced procedures, and integrating Pakistan into the global telemedicine ecosystem.
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