Lady Reading Hospital moves to introduce robotic surgeries after training workshop

PESHAWAR: Lady Reading Hospital is preparing to introduce robotic surgeries after holding its first workshop aimed at training urologists in the technique, according to details shared on Thursday.

The development came after a one-day live workshop at the province’s oldest hospital, where one robotic surgery was carried out by Prof Matin Sheriff, director of Robotic Surgery at West Kent Urology Cancer Centre, Medway NHS Foundation Trust Kent, UK, and Prof Nadeem Bin Nusrat of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre in Lahore.

Prof Martin told Dawn that robotic surgery was becoming increasingly common worldwide. He said that while the procedure was already widely used in developed countries, it was also being practiced in Punjab and Sindh, and the purpose of the training was to prepare doctors and support staff so that patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could also benefit.

According to him, Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (Ramis) is an advanced surgical method in which surgeons operate from a console that controls robotic arms fitted with specialised instruments and a high-definition 3D camera. He said the system enables complex procedures to be performed through small incisions with greater precision, flexibility and control than conventional open surgery.

Prof Martin said similar workshops had already been conducted at the Institute of Kidney Diseases in Peshawar and Kulsum International Hospital in Islamabad. He added that another training event would be held in the coming days at the district headquarters hospital in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, LRH spokesman Muhammad Asim said the hospital’s urology department had taken an important step in promoting minimally invasive surgical practices in the region.

He said the workshop included practical training sessions and academic discussions, during which the trainers shared their experience in robotic urological procedures. The event was organised by Dr Azra Ghani, Dr Muhammad Asif and Dr Khalid Farooq, and, according to the spokesman, their efforts helped create a productive and engaging learning environment for participants.

A large number of consultants, trainees and other medical professionals attended the workshop. The participants were introduced to recent developments in robotic-assisted surgery through live demonstrations, interactive sessions and case-based discussions.

According to the spokesman, the initiative reflects LRH’s ongoing commitment to strengthening surgical education and improving patient care through innovation and skills development.