PPUM’s robotic surgery capability advances healthcare, with 90 procedures since 2024 and plans for 100 surgeries by May-end.
KUALA LUMPUR: The capability of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) team to perform robotic surgery across six major disciplines is expected to serve as a catalyst for sustainable advancement in the country’s healthcare sector, said Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The Prime Minister’s wife said the use of robotic technology in surgery would bring direct benefits to the people through safer and more effective procedures.
“I was informed that PPUM is a pioneer in robotic surgery for breast cancer treatment in Malaysia and, to date, it has successfully completed six cases,” she said when officiating the PPUM Robotic Surgery Anniversary 1.0 celebration themed “Precision Beyond Boundaries” here today.
Also present was Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman.
Dr Wan Azizah said the PPUM’s move to integrate 5G-based Extended Reality (XR) technology in medical training also reflects its capability not only as a technology user, but also as a pioneer in health innovation in the region.
She said Malaysia must fully leverage innovation to enhance treatment precision, speed up recovery, and broaden access to quality healthcare.
Dr Wan Azizah, who holds a medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), said technology should not be seen as a substitute for humans, but rather be harnessed to strengthen human capital development in the health sector.
She expressed hope that the pioneering efforts of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) in robotic surgery would set an example for all parties in advancing the country’s health services sector.
Meanwhile, Noor Azuan said robotic surgery at PPUM has opened a new chapter in the country’s medical landscape, with more than 90 procedures successfully carried out using the technology since 2024.
He said that since its introduction, a range of complex surgeries have been successfully performed across urology, gynaecology and general surgery, demonstrating that local expertise is on par with the world’s leading medical centres.
Noor Azuan added PPUM was now on track to achieve its target of 100 robotic surgeries across various disciplines by the end of this month.
