UAE Ministry of Health uses robot cardiac surgery in Al Qasimi hospital

Dubai (WAM): Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Owais, U.A.E. Minister of Health, lauded the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, U.A.E. President, to raise the provided healthcare services for U.A.E. nationals through the approval of the initiatives of His Highness the U.A.E. president to fulfil the needs and requirements of Al Qasimi Hospital and allocating Dh54 million to provide the hospital with modern equipment. As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Health, it adopted a number of health programs and projects to enhance the health of community members and increase the service standards of hospitals and medical equipment. He said: "The health services in the U.A.E. are highly supported by the U.A.E.’s wise government and all health projects to reach global standards thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, U.A.E. President in order to achieve stability for both U.A.E. nationals and expatriates". Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for Hospitals’ Sector, stated that the foundation principles of the Ministry of Health are highly noble and at the same time support the strategies of the United Arab Emirates in creating positive beneficial achievements for both patients and visitors. Such an accomplishment consolidates our responsibilities to improve the health care sector; attract a large number of clients in the Arab and Middle East region and enhance therapeutic treatment in the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Health was keen to conduct several studies to provide a number of medical health services efficiently by using robot in cardiac catheterisation operations in order to create a diverse transition in the standards of medical services and reduce the complications of medical surgeries. Dr. Al Serkal emphasised that the objectives of the Ministry of Health is to enhance the health of individuals in the United Arab Emirates and provide comprehensive services in a sustainable healthy environment in accordance with the policies, legislations, programs and active partnerships locally and internationally and providing distinctive services that would support the health of individuals at the present and future time. Furthermore, Dr. Arif Al Nouriani, CEO of Al Qasimi Hospital, Cardio Consultant and Health of Cardiac Catheter Unit in Al Qasimi Hospital, said: "The Ministry of Health launched the first modern medical equipment in Al Qasimi Hospital by using a robot to conduct catheterisation and cardiac surgery, all through computerised systems and under the supervision of an efficient doctor who is highly efficient in dealing with complex medical sophisticated and advanced robots. The modern robot is characterised in the cultivation of stents and helps in reducing re-catheterisation to preserve the safety of the patient’s health. Robot’s surgery is considered one of the latest advanced techniques in medicine and is high encouraged in the developed countries. The technology assists doctors to conduct accurate surgeries that may take a long time depending on laparoscopic surgical devices, computer imaging and remote control devices that assist the doctor surgeon to perform the operation easily. It is noted that the device has been fixed in Al Qasimi Hospital on 24/6/2014 and the first successful operation was conducted on 26/6/2014. Robot Consultants from the United States of American participated in the operation. Followed by these operations, the medical and technical staff attended a number of operations till 10/8/2014 of which 9 surgeries were conducted by robot for 9 patients of which 2 U.A.E. nationals and 7 expatriates between 49-79 years old. The training took place in the U.A.E. and U.S.A.. The robot is characterised for its following features: Accuracy in the cultivation of stents (1 mm) or less to reduce the possibility or re-catheterisation in order to maintain the safety of the patient. It also saves the number of fixed stents since doctors currently use additional numbers of stents either due to miscalculation or unsuccessful operations. Therefore, the robot will reduce the consumption of costly stents. The device reduces the risk proportion of exposure to radiation by the treating physician. Additionally, it decreases the exposure to radiation by 95% and protects patients from bone or spine diseases due to standing for long hours under the pressure of lead. Furthermore, the robot can make accurate moves in a very limited space without trembling fingers; if a human doctor gets exhausted, the robot’s sensitive arm can move carefully inside the human’s body causing less possible damages to nerves and tissues during the operation. It also reduces the degree of pains through surgery and reduces the risks of complications and dangers after the operation. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395269274541.html