China-India medical milestone: Wuhan doctor executes remote robotic surgery 3,000 km away
Wuhan, May 24
Indian urologist Dr Syed Mohammed Ghouse successfully conducted a robot-assisted bladder reconnection surgery on a patient in Hyderbad while operating remotely from Wuhan, showcasing a major advancement in cross-border telemedicine and robotic healthcare cooperation between India and China, according to a news report by China Daily.
According to the news report, the surgery was completed in about 90 minutes using China-developed robotic systems and ultra-fast 5G connectivity.
The development was highlighted in a post on X by the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, Yu Jing, who said, "Indian urologist Dr. Syed Mohammed Ghouse, stationed in Wuhan, successfully performed a robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation in just 90 minutes on a patient 3,000 km away in Hyderabad, India--thanks to China-developed robotics and 5G technology. Life-saving care, transcending borders."
According to China Daily, the operation took place through coordination between doctors at Tongji Hospital and a medical team in Hyderabad. Before the surgery, doctors reviewed the patient's medical records online and mapped out the movement path for the robotic arms.
According to the news report, doctors and nurses in India administered anaesthesia and inserted robotic instruments equipped with fine surgical tools and high-definition 3D cameras. From a console in Wuhan, Dr Ghouse viewed magnified real-time 3D images and controlled the robotic arms remotely.
The report stated, "The robotic arms replicated the doctor's movements inside the patient's body. 5G transmitted the instructions within 200 milliseconds."
Medical staff in Hyderabad remained on standby throughout the procedure in case emergency intervention was needed.
The surgery was one of 26 procedures demonstrated during the 10th Congress of the Chinese Chapter of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association. Five of the surgeries featured live international remote connections involving specialists from India, Brazil, Georgia, Greece and Uzbekistan.
Chen Xiaoping, director of surgery at Tongji Hospital and one of the initiators of the program, stated, according to China Daily, "a new technological revolution driven by AI, 5G and 6G communications, and robot technology is deeply integrating with the healthcare industry."
According to China Daily, "this model not only leads the global trend of medical technological transformation but also precisely aligns with the core goals of China's Healthy China 2030 initiative, which focuses on optimising the distribution of medical resources and promoting the downward flow of high-quality medical resources".
— ANI
Reader Comments
Wow, this is incredible! As someone in healthcare tech, the 200-millisecond transmission delay is astonishing for such a delicate procedure. But I do wonder about the ethical safeguards—what happens if the 5G drops mid-surgery? The standby team in Hyderabad is reassuring, but still, this feels like a brave new world.
This is a wonderful example of how technology can bridge borders! But I can't help thinking—if this Chinese technology is so advanced, why are we not developing our own? India has brilliant engineers and doctors. We should be collaborating to build indigenous robotic surgery systems, not just being the patient for foreign tech. Still, kudos to Dr. Ghouse for his skill! 👏
Fantastic work! This is exactly the kind of cooperation we need between India and China—people-focused, life-saving initiatives rather than political tensions. The fact that 26 such surgeries were demonstrated shows this isn't just a one-off gimmick. My only concern: What's the cost? Will such procedures be accessible to ordinary Indians or only the wealthy? 😕
Impressive technology, but I'm worried about the geopolitical implications. China is clearly showcasing this as a soft power tool. India should be wary of becoming too dependent on Chinese medical technology, especially given the current border tensions. Let's learn from this but invest in our own capabilities—like the Make in India initiative for surgical robotics.
As a medical student, this is incredibly inspiring! Imagine a future where a doctor in Delhi can
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