Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan announced on Monday that SPMC has acquired a surgical robotics equipment last month making it the first Department of Health (DOH) hospital to have such technology.
“Ang mag opera robot na. Naa na ang robot sa SPMC, we will just waiting for the timing. Gipalit namo ni siya sa among income gikan ang budget,” Audan said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.
Surgical robotics is a surgical procedure that uses a robotic device to assist a surgeon in performing a procedure. The robotic device has a robotic arm that holds surgical instruments, which the surgeon controls with a viewing screen and controllers.
Audan said SPMC has allocated P350 million for the acquisition of the robot including the training for its operation.
“Kaning robotics dili ni basta basta magamit because we need to be trained for two to three months using the robot,” he said.
The robot is named Da Vinci and has two consoles, one actual and one training.
Audan said SPMC is targeting for the robot to become operational in the first quarter of next year.
Robotic surgery is available in the Philippines at several hospitals, including St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, and now in SPMC.
“Bilib ang taga Manila kay naka acquire ang SPMC ug robotics,” Audan said.
SPMC is considered the largest hospital in the Philippines with a bed capacity of 1,500.
