Casablanca – A significant step forward for Morocco’s medical landscape was achieved on July 24, as the Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital in Casablanca successfully carried out its first robot-assisted gastrointestinal surgery.
The procedure, a rectal resection for a colorectal cancer case, was performed by digestive surgeon Dr. Choukri El Mehdi using the world-renowned Da Vinci surgical robot.
Known for its precision and minimal invasiveness, the system allowed for an intricate operation to be carried out with enhanced control and accuracy.
Unlike traditional surgery, robot-assisted procedures offer a high-definition, three-dimensional view of the operating field and allow the surgeon to manipulate robotic arms through a console with extreme finesse.
“While the robot enhances precision, it is ultimately the surgeon who performs the operation,” Choukri emphasized. “In this case, the intervention went smoothly with minimal trauma to the patient, which will lead to a faster and safer recovery.”
This milestone marks the beginning of a broader expansion of robotic surgery within the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS), which oversees the hospital.
According to Professor Khalid Sair, General Director of FM6SS in Casablanca, the foundation had already launched robotic surgery in the field of urology, with several successful prostatectomies completed according to international standards.
“Given the rising demand for innovative surgical techniques, FM6SS is now extending robotic surgery to other specialties, especially digestive surgery,” said Sair.
He explained that this field often involves complex procedures in anatomically narrow spaces, ideal for robotic intervention. He also underscored the system’s capacity to reduce bleeding, preserve vital tissues, and prevent postoperative complications.
This latest achievement is part of FM6SS’s broader strategy to modernize Morocco’s healthcare sector by integrating advanced medical technologies and offering world-class care to patients.
