SSMC’s RAS programme has elevated SSMC’s surgical expertise and facilitated quicker recovery for patients
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25 November 2024: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for serious and complex care and a subsidiary of PureHealth, has today announced it has reached a significant milestone of 500 robotic assisted surgeries (RAS) since the robotic surgery programme was introduced in 2020, with over 200 surgeries performed so far in 2024.
This accomplishment further highlights SSMC’s commitment to advancing healthcare by leveraging the latest state-of-the-art technology and machines, which enhance the hospital’s mission to deliver ever-increasing personalised, patient-centric care.
The substantial rise in RAS reflects growing patient acceptance and confidence in this cutting-edge method, with over 12 million procedures conducted, worldwide, using intuitive robotic systems.
In 2020, SSMC began pioneering its RAS journey with just four procedures. Over the last four years, the remarkable growth in adoption of this mode of surgery has underscored the demand for the programme, and as a consequence, its rapid increase in use. As the various types of robotic surgery offerings continue to progress, there is a growing number of complementary tasks it can assist in, often replacing traditional laparoscopic techniques across multiple specialities. Ultimately, RAS provides patients with improved precision and faster recovery times.
The number of robotic procedures and the number of surgeons performing them is doubling annually, reflecting both demand and SSMC’s expanding expertise in this surgical capability. At SSMC, robotic assisted surgery now spans a wide range of medical specialities, including general surgery, gynaecology, urology and thoracic surgery. Within these specialisms, SSMC performs a diverse array of robot-assisted surgical procedures, with general surgery alone performing up to 15 different types of procedures.
Commenting on the significance of SSMC’s milestone, Dr. Salem Al Harthi, consultant and chair of the Department of Surgery at SSMC, said: “Robotic assisted surgery allows us to perform highly intricate procedures with exceptional precision and control. The impressive growth of our RAS programme is testament to our team’s commitment to ongoing training and technological advancement, ensuring we remain at the forefront of surgical innovation.”
Compared to traditional surgery, RAS provides many notable advantages. It facilitates quicker recovery and often allows for same-day discharge, while also minimising blood loss and reducing the need for transfusions. This modern surgical approach is especially beneficial for high-risk patients, as it offers superior precision and significantly reduces surgical trauma.
At SSMC, annual training ensures medical staff remain at the cutting edge of RAS techniques and the hospital remains committed to offering its surgical teams the opportunities to explore new technologies, so as to continuously enhance the patient experience.
Commenting on the expansion of SSMC’s RAS programme, Dr. Abdulqader Almessabi, acting chief medical officer at SSMC, stated: “Robotic assisted surgery is revolutionising patient care, not just at SSMC but around the world. The marked increase in procedures, coupled with our relentless focus on continuous improvement and learning, highlights our determination to set new standards in surgical excellence.
“By enhancing patient care through technological breakthroughs, we are integrating innovative practices into our daily operations to elevate the standard of care and bring life-changing improvements to our patients.”
With SSMC continuing to strengthen its pool of expertise and establish new benchmarks for medical care and treatment, both in the UAE and across the wider region, the RAS programme further cements SSMC’s role as a premier healthcare centre – proudly leading the way in delivering next-generation, personalised care.
