First robot-assisted surgery was conducted in Kazakhstan. Italian professor and developer of the unique device, Stefano Gidaro controlled the robotic device that performed a complex surgical intervention. The mechanical arm that follows the doctor’s movements does not hesitate or get tired, the author of the know-how says.

STEFANO GIDARO, PROFESSOR OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PESCARA, ITALY:
- Then I want to underline that I was really surprised to find this such a beautiful place, such a beautiful OR that it’s really ready to support this kind of activity.

Some of the experienced Kazakh medical professionals were trained by the Italian professor. Stefano Gidaro explained the specifics of the robot-assisted surgery in all details. This year, his trainees will perform 500 surgical operations. Four Kazakh specialists already completed a two-week training in Milan and four more will soon take the workshops.

ADIL SHOKEBAYEV, SURGEON:
- Such surgical operations were recently considered unusual and unique. The start has been made and, I think that these type of surgeries will be popular in Eastern Kazakhstan.

Healthcare facilities in Eastern Kazakhstan will be re-equipped to make these surgeries available for patients. The unprecedented 24 billion tenge will be allocated from the regional budget to re-equip the medical organizations. Doctors will learn how to use the robotic devices and how to repair them. IT medical professionals will be trained at the Technical University in Oskemen.

NATALYA ARINOVA, HEAD OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, EAST KAZAKHSTAN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY:
- We want to establish an educational program on training these specialists in our region. It will be organized for the first time in Kazakhstan and for that purpose we are cooperating with other countries such as Russia, Germany and Japan.

Kazakhstan’s first intracavitary robot-assisted surgical operation was a success. In the upcoming two years, healthcare professionals will introduce this know-how in neurosurgery. The Robotic Surgery Center that opened in the region will work closely with health institutions of Astana, Almaty and Semei.