Photo Credit : WAM
Kuwait is accelerating the use of advanced medical technologies across its healthcare system, with robotic and remote surgery emerging as key areas of development.
The country has expanded robotic surgery across several hospitals and medical specialties, while also introducing remote surgical procedures that allow specialists to operate across cities and international borders.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah said the development of surgical services depends on building sustainable national capabilities that combine experienced medical teams, advanced equipment and strong safety standards.
He said medical progress should ultimately be measured by its impact on the quality of healthcare and patients’ lives.
Robotic surgery uses advanced control systems that allow surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision while providing high-definition, three-dimensional views of internal tissues.
According to Al-Sabah, robotic surgery is currently being carried out across several specialties at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, Farwaniya Hospital, New Jahra Hospital, Chest Diseases Hospital and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Centre.
At Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, the robotic surgery programme was launched in 2019 and has since expanded into multiple specialties. By September 4, 2026, the hospital had completed 1,145 robotic procedures.
These included operations in urology, bariatric surgery, upper gastrointestinal surgery, hernia repair, colorectal and liver surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and ear, nose and throat surgery.
The hospital’s orthopedic department also began robot-assisted procedures in January 2024, completing more than 115 cases using the technology.
New Jahra Hospital launched its robotic surgery programme with its first procedure on April 27, 2025. By September 6, 2026, the hospital had completed 155 robotic operations.
The hospital reached its first 100 procedures within six months of launching the programme, reflecting increasing experience among surgical and nursing teams.
Robotic technology has also been introduced at Chest Diseases Hospital, where 30 thoracic procedures and 25 cardiac procedures have been performed.
Al-Sabah said robotic systems can improve visualisation, instrument control and surgical precision, while allowing less-invasive procedures in suitable cases.
However, he stressed that the technology’s impact on recovery time and hospital stays should be assessed using scientific indicators that compare patient outcomes with alternative treatment methods.
“Technology selection should be based on the patient’s interests, supported by documented and reviewed outcomes,” he said.
Kuwait expands remote surgery programme
The Ministry of Health has also expanded its capabilities in remote robotic surgery, enabling specialists to perform procedures for patients located elsewhere in Kuwait or abroad.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Centre began remote robotic surgery on December 20, 2024. Since then, the centre has completed 15 successful procedures, including 12 international operations and three domestic cases.
The international procedures included eight operations conducted remotely from Shanghai, China, two from Strasbourg, France, and one each from Muscat, Oman, and Padua, Italy.
During the procedures, patients remained at the centre in Kuwait under the direct supervision of local medical teams.
One of the documented cases involved a radical prostatectomy performed by a Kuwaiti surgeon operating remotely from Strasbourg while the patient was in Kuwait. The surgery was broadcast during an international conference in July 2025.
According to Al-Sabah, such procedures demonstrate how advanced connectivity can help national medical teams provide specialised services while maintaining direct patient care.
Cross-border surgical cooperation
Kuwait has also participated in international remote surgery collaborations.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital cooperated with Scola Centre at Cruz Vermelha Hospital in Brazil on a cross-border procedure in which a Kuwaiti medical team performed surgery on a patient in Brazil.
The procedure, conducted over a distance of 12,034.92 kilometres, was documented by Guinness World Records on September 23, 2025.
The collaboration was reciprocal, with a Brazilian medical team also performing a procedure remotely on a patient in Kuwait.
Within Kuwait, the gynecologic oncology unit at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital and the obstetrics and gynecology department at Jahra Hospital conducted three remote procedures for uterine cancer patients in October 2025.
Another domestic collaboration took place in November 2025 between Farwaniya Hospital and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Centre.
A patient requiring both gallbladder removal and left kidney surgery underwent the first procedure remotely from Farwaniya Hospital while remaining at the urology centre. The kidney operation was then performed by the centre’s urology team.
Al-Sabah said a surgeon from Farwaniya Hospital remained physically present beside the patient throughout the remote procedure and was prepared to intervene if required.
He said such cases highlight the importance of clearly defined responsibilities, emergency planning and close coordination among medical teams.
Training and digital infrastructure remain key
Al-Sabah said the continued expansion of robotic and remote surgery will require ongoing investment in medical training, digital infrastructure, equipment and system maintenance.
Reliable connectivity, data protection and the long-term sustainability of surgical systems will also be essential as the use of remote procedures grows.
He said investment decisions should consider clinical demand, utilisation rates, infrastructure costs, training requirements and patient outcomes.
Regulation will also play an important role, particularly in cross-border surgery.
Al-Sabah stressed the need for clear requirements governing professional responsibility, informed consent, surgeon training and the roles of medical teams involved in remote procedures.
He also highlighted the importance of progressive training, simulation, skills assessment and knowledge exchange involving surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and technical specialists.
Remote surgery programmes should also have detailed emergency plans in case of equipment failure or communication disruption.
Qualified medical personnel must remain beside the patient, while hospitals should be able to switch to alternative procedures when necessary.
Al-Sabah said hospitals should regularly test emergency readiness and train teams to respond to unexpected technical or clinical situations.
Patient confidence, he added, depends on clearly explaining how robotic surgery works, the role of the surgeon, potential risks and benefits, available alternatives and the location of the specialist carrying out the procedure.
He said patients should also know which medical team remains responsible for their direct care and how their privacy and personal information will be protected.
Kuwait is continuing to invest in national medical expertise and advanced surgical technologies as part of its efforts to strengthen healthcare services.
Through the continued expansion of robotic and remote surgery, the country aims to enhance specialised care and strengthen its position as a regional hub for advanced medical services.
