Morocco celebrates a big year in robotic surgery

Something remarkable is stirring in Morocco's operating rooms. In just one year, the country has gone from curious newcomer to global headline-maker in robotic surgery. At the center of this transformation is the Oncorad Group, a name fast becoming synonymous with high-tech medicine in North Africa. With 178 robotic procedures under their belt — including a remote surgery spanning 12,000 kilometers — they've proven that surgical excellence isn't just the domain of global tech giants.

"Within just a year, Morocco has joined the ranks of global pioneers in robotic surgery," said Dr. Younes Ahalal, the brain behind the buzz. That's not just puffery — it's a signal that Morocco isn't content playing catch-up anymore.

How does it work?

Robotic surgery isn't sci-fi anymore — it's surgical precision at the touch of a joystick.

Here's the gist:

• Surgeons control robotic arms through a console, guiding ultra-precise tools with fine motor movements.
• The system allows for minimally invasive procedures, especially useful in urology, digestive surgery, gynecology, and ENT.
• Cameras feed real-time, high-definition visuals, giving surgeons a 3D view that trumps the human eye.

And then there's remote surgery — where it gets truly wild. In November, a Moroccan surgeon in Casablanca operated on a patient in Shanghai. Yes, Shanghai — 12,000 kilometers away. That world-record-breaking feat was followed by another cross-city operation between Casablanca and Tangier. Think of it like a surgeon performing through a screen, only the stakes are life and limb.

Why does it matter?

For a country with remote villages, sprawling deserts, and patchy medical access, this kind of tech could flip the script.

• Earlier this month, a patient in Laâyoune was operated on by a surgeon in Casablanca. The procedure went off without a hitch. That kind of reach could be a lifeline for rural communities.
• Faster healing, fewer complications, and more accuracy are all baked into the robotic package.
• It's also a big vote of confidence in Morocco's medical talent. Early surgeries were mentored by foreign and diaspora professionals, but local teams are stepping up — and fast.

Still, it's not cheap. A single procedure runs about MAD 80,000 (~$8,650), mostly paid out-of-pocket since insurance hasn't caught up. The Health Ministry is now mulling reimbursement models and broader access through public hospitals.

The context

Oncorad, founded in 2000, has been quietly laying the groundwork for this leap. With centers in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier, they've embraced AI-driven imaging and precision radiotherapy like it's second nature. Their goal? To democratize robotic surgery and turn Morocco into a regional innovation powerhouse.

They're not going it alone.

• Casablanca's AKDITAL network is loaded with Da Vinci Xi robots.
• The public hospital in Agadir now houses South Korea's Revo-I system.
• The government's game plan includes placing robots in every major university hospital by 2030.

In the meantime, Oncorad's hosting workshops, attending international conferences from Bordeaux to Bangkok, and rolling up its sleeves on training. As Dr. Ahalal puts it, "This sort of work was once limited to the world's tech giants. Not anymore."