KARACHI: Experts at an international symposium on robotic surgery which concluded at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Saturday called for pooling resources for promoting advanced surgical expertise and enhancing access to quality care.

They also called for expanding the network of robotic surgery across the country to help patients get state-of-the-art technology as a treatment option.

The two-day conference featured experts` talks on a wide range of topics related to the technology as well as hands-on training sessions. The discussions were led by internationally acclaimed surgeons and healthcare specialists who highlighted the transformative impact of robotics on modern surgery, emphasising its precision, efficiency, and ability to improve patient outcomes.

Dr Saeed Quraishi, president of Pakistan Robotic Society and Dr Irfan Rizvi, a visiting surgeon from the US, pointed out that the robotic assisted procedures were accessible and free of charge at SIUT a pioneering institution in urology, nephrology, organ transplantation and hepatobiliary care, also leading robotic surgery in Pakistan since 2017 to patients regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Dr Badar Mian, another visiting surgeon, said accu-racy and minimum time frame were the most redeeming factors of the procedure. Dr Sajida Quresihi spoke on ethical aspect of robotic surgery. Andre De Silva underlined the need of training and equipping with knowledge on the subject to support staff.

Javaid Iqbal, Vipul Patel and Rashid Mazhar spoke on the importance of using internet technology and installation of its related infrastructure. Anila Kazmi, Dr Riaz Leghari and Naveed Mehar also spoke.

On the symposium`s first day, Prof Khurshid Guru from the US spoke on the revolutionary role of robotics in pelvic surgery, demonstrating how these procedures were enhancing accuracy and minimising surgical trauma.

Dr Nauman Zaffar from Lahore talked about the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of robotic surgery in Pakistan`s public sector hospitals. He shed light on its long-term benefits for the healthcare system.

Prof Adeel Khan from the University of Washington shared his experience in robotic liver transplantation, detailing how this advanced technology is reshaping complex surgical procedures.

Part of the programme was panel discussions which were attended by Rehan Mohsin of SIUT, C.

Mallikarjuna and Pranjul Modi both from India.

During the proceedings, local experts also recalled how SIUT began its programme with a shared Da Vinci robotic system at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi and successfully performed over 600 procedures. In 2021, SIUT established its own Kassim Parekh Robotic and Laparoscopy Unit where over 2,000 successful surgeries had been performed.