UK, Pakistani surgeons perform robotic surgery at Peshawar’s LRH

PESHAWAR: A major public hospital in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has introduced robotic surgery for the first time, hosting a workshop in which British and Pakistani surgeons carried out live, technology-assisted operations, officials said.

The event, held at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH)in Peshawar, marks a significant step towards adopting advanced surgical techniques in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The workshop was organised by the hospital’s urology unit in collaboration with visiting specialists from the United Kingdom.

During the sessions, teams performed complex procedures using robotic-assisted systems, with surgeries broadcast live on large screens in the hospital’s auditorium for training purposes.

Senior UK-based surgeon Prof Dr Mateen, along with Dr Azra Ghani, head of the LRH’s urology unit, led the operations, demonstrating the use of precision instruments and high-definition imaging technology.

Dr Ghani said the initiative aimed to bring modern medical innovations to the public sector.

“Our goal is to introduce the latest technology so patients can benefit from advanced treatment locally,” she said, adding that multiple procedures were being conducted as part of the workshop with support from visiting surgeons.

Hospital officials, including the dean and medical director, said they would extend support to further develop robotic surgery services and improve access to modern healthcare in the region.

Robotic surgery is an advanced technique in which surgeons use computer-assisted systems to perform procedures with greater precision and control. The technology employs miniature instruments and high-resolution cameras to provide detailed internal views.

Experts say such systems can enable more accurate and less invasive procedures, reducing the risk of complications.

Patients typically benefit from smaller incisions, less blood loss, lower risk of infection and faster recovery compared with conventional surgery.

Officials said the introduction of robotic surgery at the hospital could reduce the need for patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to travel to major cities or abroad for advanced treatment.