YEREVAN — Slavmed Medical Center has taken another major step forward in Armenia’s healthcare sector by successfully performing the country’s first remote robotic surgery, Armenpress reported.
Professor Alexandre Mottrie, one of the world’s leading urologists, conducted the operation from Belgium, more than 3,300 kilometers away from the patient at Slavmed. Mottrie is the head of the Department of Urology at OLV Hospital in Aalst and the executive director of the Orsi Academy.
The patient, who had been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, underwent a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The remote procedure was completed safely and without complications, thanks to the high level of preparedness of Slavmed’s medical staff and the center’s advanced technical capabilities.
“Since the very first day Slavmed Medical Center was established, we have pursued a path of continuous development and improvement, embracing modern approaches and innovation. Today, the successful completion of Armenia’s first remote robotic surgery is an especially important and landmark achievement for us,” said Slavmed founder Armine Hovakimyan.
Slavmed was the first medical center in Armenia to introduce robotic surgery and establish a specialized surgical team in the field.
A key factor in the successful remote operation was the center’s state-of-the-art Toumai MT-1000 robotic system. The system is equipped with Armenia’s only dedicated module designed specifically for remote surgery. Slavmed also has high-speed internet connections capable of supporting such complex procedures.
These technological capabilities allow specialists to operate the robotic system seamlessly from any distance while ensuring that the procedure is performed safely and precisely. Extensive preparatory work was carried out to adapt and coordinate the robotic systems at the two medical centers.
Mher Mkhitaryan, head of Slavmed’s Department of Urology, remained physically present in the operating room throughout the procedure, alongside the patient and the robotic system.
“This event is extremely significant to me because medicine is beginning to transcend borders,” Mkhitaryan said. “Our patient trusted our clinic and our team and chose this option without hesitation. I was in the operating room and was prepared to immediately continue the procedure locally at any moment in the event of a technical problem. Therefore, there was no risk to the patient’s life or health.”
With this achievement, Armenia joins the group of leading countries that offer remote surgical services.
Levon Grigoryan, head of Slavmed Medical Center’s Robotic Surgery and Endoscopic Services and a general and laparoscopic surgeon, said the procedure was made possible by the introduction of a fully integrated telesurgery system.
“Our strategy is to provide every Armenian citizen with medical care equal to that offered by the world’s leading centers,” Grigoryan said. “This system makes it possible to bring the expertise of any leading international specialist directly into our operating room.”
He added that the system also offers patients significant financial savings.
“They no longer need to spend enormous amounts of money traveling abroad and staying there for treatment. They can receive the same service in their own country at a more affordable cost,” Grigoryan said.
Professor Mottrie emphasized the importance of close coordination between medical teams during remote surgical procedures.
“Coordinated teamwork is essential during telesurgery. Slavmed demonstrated this at the highest level, once again confirming its leading position in the region,” he said. “By introducing remote robotic surgery, the clinic is opening a new chapter, and I would like to contribute my experience and knowledge to help this initiative achieve great success.”
Patient safety was ensured through multiple layers of protection. Backup communication channels were available in the event of a disruption, while engineering and surgical teams remained fully operational at both locations throughout the procedure.
