The Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD) at Hayatabad Medical Complex is preparing to introduce robotic surgery services, a first for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The move comes after a one-day live workshop where visiting surgeons from the United Kingdom performed two robot-assisted procedures and trained local doctors on the technology.
IKD officials said robotic surgery, already in use in other parts of Pakistan and increasingly worldwide, allows surgeons to operate through tiny incisions using robotic arms controlled from a console. This method offers greater precision, reduces blood loss, and shortens recovery time compared with traditional surgery.
Dr Kamran Khan, Director of IKD, said a formal proposal has been submitted to the institute’s Board of Governors to seek government approval and a special grant for purchasing a surgical robot, which costs around $1 million. He added that international partners and the equipment supplier have pledged support for training local surgeons and staff.
The institute already has fully equipped operation theaters and doctors trained in laparoscopic procedures, making the transition to robotic surgery feasible after specialized training. Initially, the technology will be used for complex cases such as tumors, with plans to gradually expand its use to kidney transplants and other procedures.
Experts and hospital officials say the initiative could transform surgical care in the province, bringing KP closer to global medical standards and improving outcomes for patients who previously had to travel to larger cities for such advanced procedures.