Karachi (GNP): Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has entered into two separate agreements aimed at introducing robotic-assisted surgical systems, a move set to expand patient access to minimally invasive, technologically advanced surgical care in Pakistan.
The first agreement, signed with MicroPort, will bring the Toumai Surgical Robotic System, already in use at hospitals worldwide, to AKUH’s Department of Surgery. The system is built to support surgeons across a range of minimally invasive procedures in urology, general surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics, and thoracic surgery, offering greater precision and better recovery outcomes. It also comes equipped with 5G-enabled remote surgery functionality.
“When we talk about the future of surgery, we are really talking about quality, precision, safety, and access,” said Dr Saleem Islam, Professor of Paediatric Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery. “Robotic-assisted surgery has become the standard of care at leading institutions around the world; not the frontier anymore, but rather the established benchmark.”
The second agreement, with Smith+Nephew, brings the FDA-approved CORI Surgical System to AKUH’s Department of Orthopaedics. This handheld robotic platform helps surgeons carry out robotic-assisted total knee replacements by building a real-time 3D model of each patient’s anatomy, allowing for tailored surgical planning and greater operative precision.
“This technology will allow us to move beyond standard procedures,” said Dr Mansoor Ali Khan, Clinical Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics. “We will now be able to perform robotic-assisted total knee replacements with exceptional, real-time accuracy, which is a tremendous advancement for our patients.”
Dr Farhat Abbas, CEO of AKUH Health System Pakistan and Professor of Urology, signed both agreements, with Dr Islam and Dr Khan present as the respective department heads.
At the signing, Dr Abbas remarked: “These partnerships reflect our ongoing dedication to bringing world-class surgical technology to our patients. Robotic-assisted surgery represents an important step forward in precision medicine and reinforces our commitment to bringing globally recognised healthcare technologies to Pakistan.”
Robotic-assisted surgery relies on small, precision-guided instruments operated by trained surgeons to carry out complex procedures through minimal incisions. For patients, this can translate into less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery compared with conventional open surgery. With these internationally recognised systems now in place, AKUH will be positioned to offer robotic-assisted options across a broader range of procedures, extending advanced surgical care to patients throughout Pakistan and the surrounding region.
Both systems will be installed in AKUH‘s Main Operating Rooms, with surgeons and operating room staff undergoing specialised training ahead of the rollout. Robotic procedures are expected to begin shortly, with availability to patients anticipated within the coming months.
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The new systems are expected to widen access to advanced, minimally invasive surgery for patients across Pakistan, carried out by AKUH’s trained surgical teams. Improved precision is also expected to ease patient discomfort, support better outcomes, and shorten recovery time.
