First Robotic Surgery in Africa Performed Remotely by U.S. Doctor

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, an American surgeon has successfully conducted the first-ever robotic surgery in Africa using advanced telemedicine technology—an operation being hailed as a significant milestone in global surgical history. According to AFP, the procedure was performed on a cancer patient in Angola and marks the longest-distance telesurgery conducted to date.

On June 14, Dr. Vipul Patel, Medical Director of the Global Robotics Institute at AdventHealth Hospital in Celebration, Florida, remotely performed a robotic prostate surgery—either partial or complete removal—on a 67-year-old patient named Fernando da Silva. The operation spanned approximately 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers), making it the farthest telesurgery ever completed.

The patient, who underwent the procedure at the Complexo Hospitalar Cardeal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento (CHDCDN) in Angola’s capital Luanda, is reportedly recovering well and was discharged three days post-operation.

In a statement, AdventHealth described the surgery as a historic accomplishment, not only for its technical precision but also for its implications in expanding medical accessibility through tele-assisted technologies. It was the first robotic-assisted surgery performed on the African continent, utilizing a complex integration of surgical robotics, high-speed data transmission, and expert coordination.

The operating room in Luanda was staffed with a multidisciplinary team including surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, engineers, and one of Dr. Patel’s team members, ensuring both local support and remote control execution. CHDCDN Director Carlos Alberto Masseca confirmed the surgery proceeded smoothly and that the patient is now recuperating at home.

This breakthrough highlights the potential of robotic and remote surgeries to transform healthcare in underserved and remote regions, setting a new precedent for international medical collaboration.