In recent years, there has been significant investment in robotic surgery technology in Dubai. And the wider in UAE, with increasing opportunities for surgeons trained in robotic surgery techniques.
What is driving the growth in robotic surgery?
Investment in healthcare technology is expanding with the national agenda. to the goal of building a world-class healthcare system.
The UAE’s leadership strongly supports increasing capacity and quality in the healthcare sector, along with ongoing private investment. Over the last few decades, Dubai has transformed into a global healthcare and health tech hub due to a number of health strategies put forward by the Dubai government.
The first robotic surgery in the UAE was a cardiac procedure performed at Al Qassimi Hospital, a government hospital in Sharjah, in June 2014. Since then, other government hospitals in the UAE have started robotic-assisted surgeries.
In the past few years many private hospitals in Dubai have invested heavily in robotic surgery technology. As demand and awareness from both residents and medical tourists in Dubai increase, experts project further investment and growth in robotic surgery.
What are the benefits for Dubai’s healthcare sector?
When used for carefully selected cases, robotic surgery offers the following benefits:
Faster recovery time
Shorter hospital stay
Reduced pain and discomfort
Smaller incisions with minimal scarring
Reduced risk of infection and blood loss
The technology allows for more precise and accurate procedures, resulting in fewer complications and quicker discharge.
Although robotic surgery requires a significant financial investment, it can enable cost savings over the long term by reducing hospital stays and the need for associated consumables and medication.
With the Dubai Health Authority’s launch of the new DRG system, hospitals now absorb the cost of complications and longer hospital stays, rather than the insurer, making this increased efficiency particularly beneficial.
Hospitals which have advanced robotic systems in place are able to recruit talented surgeons from all over the world. They are also able to attract patients requiring complex surgeries from both within the region and medical tourists from further afield.
What is the current scope of robotic surgery in Dubai?
There are now several private hospitals in Dubai with facilities for minimally invasive robotic surgery in specialties such as gastrointestinal surgery, urology, gynaecology, thoracic, bariatric surgery and general surgery.
The da Vinci Xi (Intuitive Surgical) and Versius (CMR Surgical) are the most popular systems currently used in Dubai.
A plan to set up a robotic surgical training hub for the region, to be based in Dubai, was recently announced.
There are currently opportunities for surgeons who trained in robotic surgery in the following specialities:
Urology
OBGYN
General Surgery
Thoracic Surgery Colorectal Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
