Surgeons in Kuwait perform dual remote robotic operations between two hospitals

Kuwait just pulled off a medical first that feels straight out of science fiction. Two hospitals, miles apart, joined digital hands to perform simultaneous robotic surgeries — one removing a gallbladder, the other a kidney tumor — on the same patient.

The Ministry of Health hailed the achievement as a "major advancement in Kuwait's adoption of surgical robotics and artificial intelligence," and they're not exaggerating. This moment marks Kuwait's confident stride into the future of connected, intelligent healthcare.

How did it work?

Picture this: a patient in his sixties, lying anesthetized in the operating room at the Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology and Kidney Center. On one screen, a general surgery team from Al-Farwaniya Hospital — led by Dr. Ahmed Al-Mulla — controls a robotic system remotely to perform a cholecystectomy.

• The connection between the hospitals runs on ultra-fast, secure telecommunication networks, ensuring seamless control and feedback.
• As a safety net, Dr. Abdullah Sultan from Al-Farwaniya Hospital was physically present at the patient's side, ready to intervene if needed.

Once the gallbladder procedure wrapped up, the urology team at Sabah Al-Ahmad, led by Dr. Saad Al-Dosari and Dr. Ahmed Al-Marzouq, took over. They switched gears and executed a robot-assisted nephrectomy — all without moving the patient or losing coordination between the two sites. Every motion, every incision, every camera feed flowed in sync, powered by precision robotics and real-time imaging.

Why does it matter?

This isn't just a surgical flex; it's a glimpse into the future of healthcare delivery. The success proves that Kuwait's national teams can handle complex, high-stakes procedures across distances with surgical precision. It means:

• Faster, safer operations by reducing transfer delays and operative time.
• Broader access to top-tier specialists without geographical limits.
• A major confidence boost for integrating AI and robotic systems into regular hospital workflows.

The Ministry put it plainly: the feat underscores the "readiness of Kuwait's healthcare institutions to integrate next-generation robotic and AI-driven surgical systems." In other words, the country isn't just keeping up — it's leading the charge in the region.

The context

Robotic surgery isn't new, but the dual remote approach is a whole new level. Globally, only a handful of countries have successfully achieved similar feats, and Kuwait's inclusion in that list cements its place among healthcare innovators. It's part of a broader national strategy to expand minimally invasive and robotic surgery — a move designed to reduce recovery times, improve outcomes, and enhance patient experience.

Kuwait's health system, once seen as traditional and cautious, is now embracing the digital frontier with gusto. As one official noted, these operations are proof of "the proficiency of Kuwait's national surgical teams" and the growing sophistication of its digital health infrastructure.

In short, what happened between Farwaniya and Sabah Al-Ahmad hospitals wasn't just a procedure. It was a message: the operating rooms of tomorrow are already here — and Kuwait's surgeons are in control.