Bangladesh enters new era of robotic surgery

Bangladesh has officially entered a new phase of technology-driven healthcare with the start of regular robotic surgery. United Healthcare, located at United City on Madani Avenue in Dhaka, has successfully completed two robotic procedures, marking what the hospital describes as Bangladesh’s first regular robotic surgery service.

On Monday, August 31, two procedures were performed using the MedBot Toumai Endoscopic Surgical Robot. Prof Dr Rafiques Salehin performed a robotic cholecystectomy on a male patient suffering from gallstones, while Prof Dr Samsad Jahan Shelly performed a robotic hysterectomy on a 45-year-old woman suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding. Recent reports identify the male patient as 57 years old, rather than 34 as stated in the supplied material.

A new dimension in surgical technology

Robotic surgery does not replace the surgeon. Instead, the surgeon controls robotic instruments through a specialised console. The Toumai system provides high-definition three-dimensional visualisation and enables instruments to move with a range of motion designed to support highly precise work in confined anatomical spaces.

According to the doctors involved, the technology can facilitate minimally invasive procedures, reduce tissue disruption and blood loss, and potentially support faster postoperative recovery. Its robotic arms can move up to 360 degrees, allowing surgeons to perform delicate manoeuvres in areas that can be difficult to access with conventional instruments.

The technology, however, remains a tool under the control of trained medical professionals. Patient selection, surgical planning, clinical judgement and robotic operation all remain dependent on qualified surgeons and multidisciplinary teams.

Why it is being described as the first

Robotic-assisted medical procedures are not entirely new to Bangladesh. In January 2024, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases carried out a robot-assisted stent-placement procedure. However, that was a specific cardiac intervention involving robotic assistance rather than the regular use of a dedicated surgical robot for full surgical procedures.

United Healthcare’s Toumai system is a dedicated laparoscopic surgical robot. The hospital says its programme represents the beginning of regular robotic surgery services rather than a one-off demonstration. Regulatory authorities have also confirmed approval for robotic surgery use by private hospitals after establishing the relevant regulatory framework.

Regulatory clearance and patient safety

Doctors involved in the programme said the robotic system underwent government evaluation and inspection before the service was launched. The first procedures were performed after the necessary approval was received.

The regulatory dimension is significant because robotic surgery requires more than advanced equipment. It involves specialised training, patient-selection protocols, operating-room infrastructure, infection control, biomedical maintenance, surgical safety standards and continuous professional development.

Potential to reduce overseas treatment

Bangladeshi patients often travel abroad for complex and technologically advanced medical procedures. Wider access to robotic surgery could reduce some of that dependence by allowing patients to receive sophisticated procedures locally. Doctors involved in the programme believe this could also help reduce foreign-exchange expenditure associated with overseas medical treatment.

Cost remains an important challenge. Doctors have said robotic procedures currently cost roughly two to three times as much as comparable conventional or laparoscopic procedures. As the technology becomes more widely used and supporting infrastructure develops, however, the cost may decline.

Expansion across medical specialties

United Healthcare plans to expand its robotic surgery programme into cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, urology, general surgery, gynaecology and thoracic surgery.

The hospital is also investing in technology-based specialised healthcare services. Its own technology portfolio lists MicroPort MedBot among its advanced systems, including robotic technology for minimally invasive procedures.

Human expertise remains critical

The success of robotic surgery will depend not only on acquiring sophisticated equipment but also on developing a complete ecosystem of trained surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, biomedical engineers, technicians and other specialised personnel.

A systematic review published in 2026 examining early clinical experience with the Toumai robotic system found promising features including three-dimensional visualisation, tremor filtering and multi-degree-of-freedom instruments. At the same time, the researchers noted the importance of further clinical evidence and longer-term evaluation of outcomes.

A new signal for health-tech investment

The launch of regular robotic surgery in Bangladesh is more than the introduction of another piece of medical equipment. It represents a broader shift toward advanced technology in healthcare, creating opportunities to perform complex procedures locally, train medical professionals in next-generation technologies and build internationally competitive specialised healthcare capacity.

According to MicroPort’s official information, Toumai is a multi-arm surgical robot designed for a range of surgical applications, while the company continues to develop robotic technologies across several medical fields.

If United Healthcare successfully expands the programme as planned, robotic surgery could gradually move from being a highly specialised service to becoming a more established component of Bangladesh’s healthcare system. But its long-term success will depend on affordability, patient safety, clinical outcomes, infrastructure and the availability of appropriately trained professionals.

Ultimately, the beginning of regular robotic surgery in Bangladesh opens a new chapter in the country’s medical-technology landscape. The real measure of success will be how quickly the technology can become safe, effective, affordable and accessible to a wider section of the population.

//DBTech/DMO/NAP/MIS//