THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has become the first Department of Health (DOH)-run hospital in the country to acquire Da Vinci surgical robots.
Dr. Ricardo B. Audan, SPMC’s Medical Center Chief, announced the milestone during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday, December 18, 2024.
He revealed that SPMC is one of only five hospitals in the Philippines to have surgical robots. The other four include three private hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital.
SPMC has acquired two robotic systems: one for practice and the other for actual surgeries. The hospital funded the purchase using its income.
Before using the robots, doctors will undergo two to three months of training.
Around 40 doctors will be trained on how to operate the systems, and they must pass an examination to receive certification. Training will include hands-on use of the robots at SPMC, with the final phase taking place in Singapore.
The hospital has spent approximately P350 million on the robots and the training program.
Audan noted that the robots will be used in various medical specialties, including surgery, neurology, obstetrics, and gynecology, among others.
The hospital aims to begin using the robots in surgeries by the first quarter of 2025.
According to the University of South Florida Health (USF Health), the Da Vinci system enhances a surgeon's precision with advanced tools that replicate their hand movements in real time. The robot’s camera provides enhanced vision and magnification, helping surgeons identify small “bleeders” and reduce blood loss during procedures. RGP