The Minister for Health and Care, Gemma Arias Vasquez formally opened the Kusuma Robotic Surgery Suite yesterday at St Bernard’s Hospital, Gibraltar thanks to our grant of £500,000. Over recent weeks, surgical teams at the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) have carried out their first local robotic General Surgery cases in the purpose built Suite, with plans to expand use of the system to more complex procedures in Urology, Colorectal, Upper Gastrointestinal and Gynaecology.
Robotic-assisted surgery allows a surgeon to control instruments with increased precision and flexibility. The system’s enhanced visualisation, high-resolution magnification and articulated “robotic wrists” are intended to improve access and control in confined anatomical spaces for both patients and surgical teams. The robotic system, which is designed for both conventional robotic procedures and tele-surgery capabilities, is being rolled out through a phased training pathway developed with international partners to ensure safe, high-quality implementation.
GHA Acting Director General, Lysandra Debono, said: “We are hugely proud to see robotic surgery now taking place here in Gibraltar. This extraordinary technology brings real, tangible benefits to our patients and represents a major leap forward for our clinical teams.”
The Minister for Health and Care, Gemma Arias-Vasquez, added: “This is exactly what we want to see in the Gibraltar Health Authority. It is a clear signal of the direction of travel for our health service. One that is modern, ambitious and focused on delivering better care for patients here in Gibraltar. I want to thank the GHA’s clinical and managerial teams and the local charities whose generous donations have helped make this possible. The introduction of robotic surgery marks the beginning of the future of the GHA, built on investment in our people, our facilities and the highest standards of clinical practice. With robotic procedures now underway and further expansion planned throughout 2026, the GHA’s robotic-assisted surgery programme positions Gibraltar at the forefront of modern surgical care, offering patients access to advanced treatment options previously available only in major international centres.”