ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has witnessed its first robotic gallbladder surgery performed through telesurgery, with a surgeon operating remotely from a healthcare conference while the patient underwent the procedure at Kulsum International Hospital.
The robotic cholecystectomy was performed by Prof. Dr. Syed Tanseer Asghar, Registrar of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), who controlled the robotic surgical console from the International Conference on Future of Healthcare (FHCC 2026) at the Gandhara Heritage and Culture Centre.
The patient was at Kulsum International Hospital, where a surgical team provided on-site assistance throughout the procedure.
Dr. Sana Sharafat Ali, consultant robotic and vascular surgeon, played a key role as the patient-side robotic surgeon, managing the robotic patient cart and coordinating with Prof. Asghar during the operation.
The procedure connected surgical teams at two separate locations through robotic technology and real-time communication, demonstrating the potential of remotely operated surgical systems in Pakistan’s healthcare sector.
It also highlighted the importance of coordination between remote surgeons and medical professionals physically present with patients.
SZABMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tanwir Khaliq described the achievement as an important development in the university’s efforts to promote advanced medical technologies.
“Today’s procedure is an important step for SZABMU and for the wider healthcare community. It shows how robotic technology, reliable connectivity and close coordination between surgical teams can expand the possibilities for specialist care,” he said.
Prof. Khaliq emphasized that patient safety, professional training and responsible use of technology must remain central as healthcare institutions develop robotic surgical capabilities.
He also announced that SZABMU had secured approval for its first Robotic and Artificial Intelligence Health Centre.
The proposed facility will focus on developing robotic and AI applications in healthcare while supporting professional training and institutional capacity-building.
The surgery, demonstrated during FHCC 2026, provided healthcare professionals with a practical example of how advanced surgical technology can connect specialists and operating teams across different locations.
Telesurgery could eventually improve access to specialized surgical expertise in areas where qualified professionals are not readily available. However, its wider adoption will require reliable connectivity, appropriate clinical protocols and effective coordination between remote surgeons and on-site medical teams.
The collaboration between Prof. Asghar and Dr. Sana Sharafat Ali represents a significant step in the development of robotic surgery and digitally connected healthcare services in Islamabad.