United News of Bangladesh

United Healthcare has performed what it described as Bangladesh’s first robotic surgery, marking a milestone in the country’s healthcare sector. On Monday, Prof Dr Rafiques Salehin successfully performed Robotic Cholecystectomy on a 57-year-old male patient with gallstones, while Prof Dr Samsad Jahan (Shelly) performed Robotic Hysterectomy on a 45-year-old female patient suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding at the hospital. The milestone introduces advanced, AI-driven robotic surgical technology to Bangladesh, offering greater surgical precision and control, smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, less post-operative pain, and faster recovery, according to a press release. The surgeries were performed using the Medbot Toumai Endoscopic Surgical Robot, supported by a multidisciplinary medical team. During the procedures, the robotic system provided high-definition 3D visualisation and instruments capable of 360-degree movement, allowing precise access to complex and confined anatomical areas. The technology allows greater surgical control, minimises tissue disruption, and supports a smoother post-operative recovery. Commenting on the landmark achievement, Prof Dr Rafiques Salehin said, “Robotic surgery represents the latest advancement in autonomous surgical technology. The robotic arms offer 360-degree movement, far exceeding the limitations of the human hand, enabling exceptional precision in confined spaces. This allows for greater protection of blood vessels, minimal invasiveness, significantly less bleeding, and faster patient recovery.” Samsad Jahan said, “The robotic surgery programme will soon expand into Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, Urology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, and Thoracic Surgery. A major long-term goal is to provide advanced procedures locally and reduce the need for patients to travel overseas, thereby helping retain valuable foreign currency within the country.”