Kuwait records unprecedented medical milestone with the longest-distance remote robotic surgery

KUWAIT: Relying on Zain’s leadership in international connectivity and with the support of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), the Ministry of Health, represented by the surgical team at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital led by Dr Suleiman Al-Mazidi, Dr Muhannad Al-Haddad and Dr Humoud Al-Rashidi, has achieved a new global feat by performing an intercontinental remote robotic surgery from Kuwait on a patient in Brazil, at a distance exceeding 12,000 kilometers. It is the farthest by distance in history, under review by the Guinness World Records.

Minister of Health, Dr Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi, said: “The wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is guiding Kuwait with steady steps and an ambitious will toward a sustainable digital future for the health sector.” Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO, said: “Following the directives of His Highness the Amir to make Kuwait a platform for digital medical innovation that the region and the world look to, today we are building bridges to the future between medicine and technology to serve Kuwait and open new horizons for healthcare.”

Dr Al-Awadhi and Al-Kharafi observing the remote robotic surgery.

Dr Saleh Al-Aqeli, Deputy Director General for Support Services at the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), said: “This initiative represents a model of trials that harness the latest advances in technology in the service of humanity, in line with KFAS’ vision of advancing science, technology, and innovation, and of cementing Kuwait’s position as a center of science and innovation for a prosperous, resilient and sustainable future.”

• Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi: The wise vision of HH the Amir is leading Kuwait with steady steps and an ambitious will toward a digitally sustainable future for the health sector.

• Bader Al-Kharafi: Following the directives of HH the Amir to make Kuwait a platform for digital medical innovation that the region and the world look to, today we are building the bridges of the future between medicine and technology in service of Kuwait and to open new horizons for healthcare.

• Dr Saleh Al-Aqeli: This initiative is a model harnessing the latest technological advances in the service of humanity, aligning with KFAS’ vision that advancing science, technology, and innovation will cement Kuwait’s position as a center of science and innovation for a prosperous, resilient and sustainable future.