JPMC performs over 1,500 robotic surgeries, plans further capacity expansion

KARACHI: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has performed more than 1,500 robotic surgeries since launching its programme in October 2023, with the growing volume of procedures now prompting plans to further expand the hospital’s surgical capacity.

The government-run tertiary care hospital is currently performing around eight to 10 robotic surgeries a day, according to hospital officials. The total value of procedures carried out through the programme so far has been estimated at more than Rs600 million.

The programme could reach another major milestone by the end of the year. JPMC Deputy Director Dr Saddam Saleh said the number of robotic operations could rise to between 1,800 and 2,000 by the end of this year if the current pace of surgery continues.

The expanding service is also providing access to robotic-assisted procedures without an additional financial burden on patients.

Robotic surgeries provided free at JPMC

Patients undergoing robotic surgery at JPMC are not charged any additional fee for the procedure, with the service being provided free of cost under the Sindh government’s budget, Dr Saleh said.

The availability of robotic surgery within a public-sector tertiary care hospital has enabled JPMC to provide advanced surgical procedures as part of its government-funded healthcare services.

With the hospital now performing up to 10 robotic procedures daily, further expansion of capacity could allow the service to accommodate more patients and increase the number of procedures that can be undertaken through the programme.

Smaller incisions and enhanced surgical view

Head of the JPMC Urology Department Dr Naresh Kumar said robotic surgery has strengthened the hospital’s ability to undertake complex procedures with greater precision and through smaller surgical incisions.

He explained that an open operation may require an incision of around 15 to 20 centimetres, whereas robotic surgery can be performed through three small openings in appropriate cases.

According to Dr Kumar, the minimally invasive approach can help reduce blood loss and post-operative discomfort and support faster recovery.

He also highlighted the visual advantages of robotic technology, saying the system provides surgeons with a clear three-dimensional view of the surgical area during complex operations.

Programme moves towards greater capacity

Since its launch in October 2023, JPMC’s robotic surgery programme has developed into a high-volume service, with the hospital now carrying out hundreds of procedures each year.

The current rate of eight to 10 surgeries a day places the programme on course to reach between 1,800 and 2,000 operations by the end of 2026, according to Dr Saleh’s estimate.

The planned expansion reflects the hospital’s effort to increase its capacity for robotic-assisted surgery as the programme continues to grow, potentially allowing JPMC to extend access to advanced minimally invasive procedures to more patients through the public healthcare system.

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