King
Saud University Medical City has launched the “Saudi Remote Robotic Surgery Program” (Telesurgery), marking a significant step in the development of the Kingdom’s digital healthcare system. The program is being implemented in partnership with
Seha Virtual Hospital, Zain KSA, and EDGE, a company specializing in robotic devices and solutions, represented by Al-Amin Company.
The program’s first phase involved seven surgical procedures performed over three days. The procedures were carried out on patients in the operating rooms at
King Khalid University Hospital, while the university’s surgical team performed the procedures remotely from the Robotic Surgery Office at
Seha Virtual Hospital.The procedures covered several surgical specialties, including bariatric surgery, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and thoracic surgery. On the first day, four consecutive surgical cases were performed across different specialties, involving several complex surgical challenges. This experience demonstrated the advanced capabilities enabled by remote robotic surgery technologies.
The program is not limited to performing a specific number of procedures; it also aims to develop a national Saudi protocol for remote robotic surgery, bringing together medical, technical, and digital expertise. This will contribute to establishing a scalable and expandable national model and strengthen the Kingdom’s presence in this field internationally.
Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Thunayan, Executive Director of Health Affairs at
King Saud University Medical City, said that
King Khalid University Hospital is among the first hospitals in the Kingdom to introduce robotic surgery and has contributed to its development and expansion since 2003. He noted that launching the “Saudi Remote Robotic Surgery Program” represents a significant milestone in advancing medical innovation and development.
He added that the program will open new opportunities to use remote surgery technologies during major events and gatherings, including the Hajj season, as well as in humanitarian and emergency cases requiring access to specialized medical and surgical expertise in locations that may be difficult to reach. The technologies could also be used in the future to support humanitarian efforts outside the Kingdom.
The program aligns with the objectives of
Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the healthcare sector, advance digital transformation, leverage modern medical technologies, and build an innovative and sustainable healthcare system. It also strengthens collaboration between universities and the healthcare and technology sectors, highlighting the importance of translating research and innovation into clinical applications that improve the quality of healthcare, expand access to specialized services, and enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness in digital medicine and remote robotic surgery.