Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela has shared that throughout 2024, 104 robotic surgeries were performed at Mater Dei Hospital.

Through the introduction of robotic surgery, these interventions treated cancers affecting the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, large intestine, and the prostate.

Minister Abela described that robotic surgery is the latest technology within the field of operations and that it is transforming the way surgeons operate on their patients.

He said that the introduction of robotic surgery has led to a reduction in complication rates and quicker recovery, all while facilitating interventions in hard-to-reach areas without needing to make a large incision.

The Health Minister shared that last year, an investment of around €1 million was made to carry out these interventions via robotic surgery. He added that the frequency of these interventions is increasing each year and that it is aimed to reach full potential and eclipse 300 such interventions per year within two years' time.

Minister Abela also mentioned that later this year, robotic surgery will be introduced in other new disciplines. He said that he hopes to see Malta at the forefront of using robotic surgery as a means to combat obesity.

Additionally, gynaecology and ENT interventions via robotic surgery are set to commence later this year; as a result, the allocated budget is set to increase by around a quarter of a million euros.

The Health Minister thanked all the professionals who make these robotic surgery interventions possible and shared his wish for these kinds of interventions to become more common. Abela also reiterated the government's commitment to continuing to invest in new equipment to continue assisting Maltese and Gozitan patients.

Dr. Clifford Caruana - the Clinical Chairperson of the Department of General and Vascular Surgery - said that robotic surgery offers several advantages for patients. Praising the practice, Caruana said that it reduces blood loss on the table, promotes shorter recovery periods through the use of smaller incisions in the body, and that it causes "much less" post-operative pain.