United Healthcare performs Bangladesh’s first robotic surgeries

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United Healthcare, located at United City on Madani Avenue, has successfully performed Bangladesh’s first-ever robotic surgeries, marking a historic milestone in the country’s healthcare sector.

Two robotic surgeries were successfully conducted on August 31, introducing advanced AI-driven robotic surgical technology to Bangladesh. A press conference was held at the hospital on September 1 to commemorate the landmark achievement.

The two procedures included a robotic cholecystectomy on a 57-year-old male patient suffering from gallstones and a robotic hysterectomy on a 45-year-old female patient experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding.

The surgeries were performed using the state-of-the-art Medbot Toumai Endoscopic Surgical Robot, with support from an expert multidisciplinary medical team.

At the press conference, Prof. Dr. A. Q. M. Mohsen, Chairman of United Medical College Hospital and Director of the Department of Gastroenterology & Liver Transplantation, attended as the chief guest. Also present were Dr. Azharul Islam Khan, Director of Medical Services, United Healthcare; Prof. Dr. Rafiqus Saleheen, Head and Chief Consultant, Endo-Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery Department and Director, Advanced Endo-Laparoscopic Centre; Prof. Dr. Shamsad Jahan (Shelly), Head and Chief Consultant, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; and Prof. Dr. Mofassel Uddin Ahmed, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiac Surgery.

The robotic system provides high-definition 3D visualisation and instruments capable of 360-degree movement, enabling surgeons to operate with greater precision and control, particularly in complex and confined anatomical areas. The technology can help minimise tissue damage, reduce blood loss and post-operative pain, and support faster recovery.

Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Dr. Rafiqus Saleheen said robotic surgery represents a major advancement in modern surgical technology. He said the enhanced mobility of robotic arms allows surgeons to perform highly precise procedures in confined spaces while helping protect blood vessels and surrounding vital structures, reducing invasiveness and facilitating faster recovery.

Prof. Dr. Shamsad Jahan (Shelly) said the robotic surgery programme would soon be expanded to areas including cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, urology, general surgery, gynaecology and thoracic surgery.

She said a key long-term objective is to provide advanced treatment within Bangladesh and reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for specialised procedures. This, she added, would also help reduce the outflow of foreign currency for overseas medical treatment.

The management of United Healthcare also highlighted its vision of expanding the use of advanced technologies in cardiac surgery, gastroenterology and hepatobiliary surgery, cancer treatment and other specialised medical services.

The introduction of robotic surgery further strengthens United Healthcare’s portfolio of advanced healthcare services and reflects its commitment to bringing modern medical technology and specialised expertise closer to the people of Bangladesh.

The hospital said it will continue investing in advanced technologies, diagnostics, emergency and critical care, and specialised medical and surgical services to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of healthcare while helping reduce patients’ dependence on treatment abroad.