Zain KSA has enabled 11 remote robotic surgeries in collaboration with the Innovation Empowerment Center at SEHA Virtual Hospital. This milestone demonstrates the readiness of the digital infrastructure to support complex medical procedures. Specifically, the initial phase involved four consecutive procedures performed in a single day between SEHA Virtual Hospital and King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh.
The Expansion of Remote Robotic Surgeries
The medical teams successfully maintained operations throughout the week to perform various specialized procedures. These operations included sleeve gastrectomy, hysterectomy, inguinal hernia repair, cholecystectomy, and resection of appendiceal tumors. Furthermore, surgeons completed advanced gynecologic oncology procedures and a right lower lobectomy. Notably, this lung resection represents the second remote lobectomy performed globally and the fifth remote robotic lung resection in history.
Dedicated Network Infrastructure
The success of these procedures relied on a dedicated telecommunications network designed by Zain KSA. This network connected the surgeon’s console directly to the robotic surgical system in the operating room. Consequently, the system transmitted the surgeon’s commands, live video, audio, and operational data in real time. To ensure safety, the network featured primary and independent backup connections at each location.
In addition, the network isolated surgical bandwidth from other data traffic to prevent interruptions. Continuous end-to-end service monitoring remained active throughout every procedure. As a result, the system delivered high-definition surgical video and maintained uninterrupted audio communication between the medical teams. This setup allowed the surgeon’s commands to reach the robotic arms with ultra-low latency.
Executive Statements on Healthcare Transformation
The integration of advanced networks into healthcare represents a shift in how telecom operators support vital sectors. Zain KSA CEO Eng. Saad bin Abdulrahman AlSadhan stated:
“Our collaboration with SEHA Virtual Hospital’s Innovation Empowerment Center demonstrates how combining medical expertise with advanced digital infrastructure can open new possibilities for healthcare delivery. The achievement of 11 remote robotic surgeries confirms that telecommunications networks are no longer simply a means of connectivity.”
Eng. Saad bin Abdulrahman AlSadhan, CEO of Zain KSA
The CEO also noted that these networks are now essential for critical applications requiring high reliability. He added that the company continues to invest in digital capabilities to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. These investments aim to expand access to specialized medical services across the Kingdom.
Future Outlook for Digital Health
This partnership aligns with efforts to build secure, high-performance digital infrastructure for critical industries. By enabling these remote robotic surgeries, the collaboration aims to improve service delivery models. Ultimately, these initiatives support long-term digital sustainability and raise the quality of life within the healthcare sector.
