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Saudi Hospital Performs First Fully Robotic Liver Transplant

The groundbreaking surgery paves the way for future medical innovation.

Published

2 years ago

September 29, 2023

Nour Nasir

saudi hospital performs first fully robotic liver transplant

KFSH&RC

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center’s (KFSH&RC) Organ Transplant Center of Excellence (OTCoE) in Riyadh, KSA, has successfully completed a groundbreaking surgery — a liver transplant performed entirely by robots.

The donor recipient, a 66-year-old Saudi male battling non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, was treated on September 6th. The man is the first in a long line of future patients who will benefit from fully robotic transplants at the Saudi facility.

saudi arabia robot surgeon used in liver transplant

While other surgical establishments have experimented with minimally invasive liver transplants using hybrid robotic techniques, KFSH&RC is the only one to successfully perform a fully robotic liver transplant. The high-tech machinery enables surgeons to make smaller incisions, allowing for faster recoveries and radically reduced rates of post-op complications and infections.

Dr. Dieter Broering, Executive Director of the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence at KFSH&RC, noted: “With this remarkable feat, we at KFSH&RC reaffirm our commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation and enhancing the quality of healthcare services offered to patients worldwide. The successful implementation of fully robotic liver transplants marks a pivotal moment in the history of organ transplantation and firmly positions KFSH&RC as a world-leading center in this field”.

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The KFSH&RC Robotic Surgery Program and its Da Vinci Xi robots now operate across several surgical departments:

Gynecology, including operating on uterine cancers, benign hysterectomies, and myomectomies.
Urology, for the treatment of kidney, ureter, bladder, and prostate tumors.
Neurology, where electrodes are implanted into the brains of patients suffering refractory epilepsy and hemispherectomies.

KFSH&RC is now recognized as a leading Training Center for robotic transplants, opening the doors to collaborations with other medical institutions and driving global progress in minimally invasive surgeries.

Related Topics:HealthTech Robotics Saudi Arabia

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UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

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Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.