Kuala lumpur: The capability of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) team to perform robotic surgery across six major disciplines is expected to serve as a catalyst for sustainable advancement in the country's healthcare sector, said Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. The Prime Minister's wife highlighted that the use of robotic technology in surgery would bring direct benefits to the people through safer and more effective procedures.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Wan Azizah noted that PPUM is pioneering robotic surgery for breast cancer treatment in Malaysia and has successfully completed six cases to date. These remarks were made during the PPUM Robotic Surgery Anniversary 1.0 celebration themed 'Precision Beyond Boundaries'. The event was also attended by Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman.
Dr Wan Azizah emphasized that PPUM's integration of 5G-based Extended Reality (XR) technology in medical training showcases its capability not only as a technology user but also as a pioneer in health innovation in the region. She stressed the importance of leveraging innovation to enhance treatment precision, expedite recovery, and broaden access to quality healthcare in Malaysia.
Holding a medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dr Wan Azizah remarked that technology should be harnessed to strengthen human capital development in the health sector rather than serve as a substitute for human effort. She expressed hope that PPUM's pioneering efforts in robotic surgery would set an example for advancing the country's health services sector.
Meanwhile, Prof Noor Azuan said that robotic surgery at PPUM has opened a new chapter in the country's medical landscape, with more than 90 procedures successfully carried out since its introduction in 2024. He highlighted the successful performance of complex surgeries in urology, gynaecology, and general surgery, demonstrating local expertise on par with the world's leading medical centres. Noor Azuan added that PPUM is on track to achieve its target of 100 robotic surgeries across various disciplines by the end of this month.