Maldives performs first robotic-assisted surgeries
Two successful knee replacements mark new stage in country’s push to expand advanced medical care and reduce need for patients to seek treatment overseas
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has performed its first robotic-assisted surgeries, introducing a technology that allows doctors to carry out complex procedures with greater precision as the island nation works to expand specialized medical treatment at home.
ADK Hospital said Sunday that surgeons had successfully completed two robotic-assisted total knee replacement procedures, marking the first use of robotic surgery in the country.
The development could be particularly significant for the Maldives, where limited availability of highly specialized medical services has historically forced many patients requiring advanced treatment to travel abroad, particularly to India and Sri Lanka.
Unlike autonomous machines operating on patients, robotic surgical systems remain controlled by surgeons. Depending on the system and procedure, the technology can help doctors plan operations and guide surgical instruments with a level of precision that can be difficult to achieve manually.
For knee replacement surgery, robotic assistance can help surgeons map a patient’s anatomy and position implants more precisely, potentially improving alignment while limiting unnecessary damage to surrounding bone and tissue.
ADK Group Chairman and CEO Ahmed Nashid said the hospital’s investment was intended to bring advanced medical technology and expertise into the country and increase the number of specialized treatments available locally.
The milestone comes as the Maldivian government is also preparing to introduce robotic surgery into the public health system.
The Finance Ministry announced in July that it was seeking an international supplier for a multi-port robotic surgical system for Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Dharumavantha Hospital, two major government health facilities in Malé.
The procurement includes installation and testing of the equipment as well as training for medical staff and maintenance support.
Multi-port robotic systems generally allow surgeons seated at a computer console to control several robotic arms fitted with surgical instruments and high-definition cameras. The instruments can be inserted through small incisions, while magnified three-dimensional imaging gives surgeons a detailed view of the operating area.
Such systems are increasingly used internationally for minimally invasive procedures, including some cancer, urological, gynecological and cardiac operations.
Robotic-assisted procedures can offer advantages such as smaller incisions, reduced blood loss and shorter recovery periods in appropriately selected patients, although outcomes depend on the type of operation, the technology used and the experience of the surgical team.
The introduction of the technology represents part of a broader effort by the Maldives to build more advanced medical capacity domestically, potentially allowing patients to undergo procedures at home that previously required overseas treatment.
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