Pakistan has achieved a landmark breakthrough in healthcare by successfully performing its first cross-border robotic surgery at Lyari General Hospital in Karachi.
Doctors at Lyari General Hospital performed a gynaecological procedure using advanced telerobotic technology. Surgeons operated remotely from Kuwait and coordinated with medical teams in Karachi. The operation marks the first instance of international telesurgery performed in Pakistan.
Kuwaiti surgeons performed the procedure from nearly 1,600 kilometres away. During the operation, the system functioned on an internet speed of 30 megabytes per second. There was a response delay of just 30 microseconds between the surgeon’s command and the robot’s action. Medical experts described the latency as negligible and well within global safety standards.
A formal ceremony was held at Lyari General Hospital following the procedure. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said the government has introduced several modern medical facilities at the hospital. These include a mortuary, forensic unit, and advanced laboratories for microbiology, biochemistry, and pathology. She added that a dedicated laboratory has also been inaugurated to provide hands-on training for medical students.
ڪراچي: پاڪستان ۾ پهرين عالمي روبوٽڪ ٽيلي سرجري ڪامياب#RoboticSurgery #PakistanMedicalNews #TeleSurgery #KarachiHealth #MedicalInnovation #HealthcarePakistan #BreakingNews #PakistanNews #TechnologyInMedicine #AwazTVNews pic.twitter.com/PjDV1UvrEf
— Awaz Television Network (@awaztvofficial) December 15, 2025Dr Pechuho noted that robotic surgery significantly reduces patient costs. She said that while similar procedures typically cost around Rs400,000, the hospital is offering robotic surgeries at substantially lower rates. Consultant Gynaecologist Oncologist Dr Anjum Rehman explained that three to four robotic procedures are currently performed daily, with an average cost of Rs 150,000 per patient.
Explaining the technology, the health minister said robotic surgery does not require large abdominal incisions. Instead, surgeons insert a camera and specialised instruments through small openings, reducing pain, recovery time, and the risk of infection. She confirmed that the system enables complex procedures, including tumour removal, kidney surgery, gastrointestinal operations, and gynaecological treatments.
The robotic system has been provided by the Sindh government, with staff training already underway. Dr Pechuho said authorities plan to extend these facilities to other government hospitals in the coming years. This aims to improve access to advanced surgical care.
Dr Anjum Rehman described the operation as a transformative step for Pakistan’s healthcare system. He explained that while laparoscopic surgery usually takes about 30 minutes, robotic procedures complete the same operation in nearly half the time. He added that robotic surgery allows greater precision, minimal blood loss, and fewer complications.
