Moroccan doctor Ghali Belkahia pioneers robotic surgery breakthrough in Europe

Ya Biladi

11-07-2025

Ghali Belkahia, a young Moroccan physician excelling in the demanding field of high-precision urological surgery, has recently contributed to a major medical breakthrough in Europe.
As a resident in the Urology Department at ROC Clinic and HM Sanchinarro University Hospital in Madrid, Dr. Belkahia took part in the successful completion of Spain's first robotic radical cystectomy using the da Vinci Single Port (SP) system, an achievement only previously performed twice in Europe.
This cutting-edge procedure was part of a next-generation, minimally invasive surgery program and marks a turning point in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer, one of the most challenging conditions in oncological urology, according to Dr. Ricardo Brime, head of the hospital's Robotic Surgery Unit.
Thanks to a single incision, the da Vinci SP system offers access to complex anatomical zones while minimizing risk, pain, and recovery time, Dr. Brime noted.
For Dr. Belkahia, the experience was both a personal and professional milestone. «Participating in such innovative surgery means touching the future of medicine», he told MAP. «It's about living a technological revolution from within, one that puts patient safety and comfort at the heart of surgical care».
It also represents, he said, an opportunity to proudly represent Morocco in some of Europe's most advanced operating theaters, contributing to global medical excellence while staying deeply rooted in his heritage.
Dr. Belkahia completed his medical training at the Complutense University of Madrid, followed by a master's degree in medical knowledge integration at the Catholic University of Murcia. He is part of a new generation of Moroccan doctors known for their rigorous training, scientific curiosity, and international outlook.
His career is already decorated with several honors, including best scientific communication at the 14th National Congress of Health Sciences Students Research (2019), the top award at the 18th Congress of Biomedical Sciences in Madrid, and a distinction at the CIOGEM International Congress in Gynecology and Obstetrics.
«Dr. Ghali Belkahia, one of our most advanced residents, was entrusted with key steps in the urinary diversion procedure during this complex operation, which speaks to both his high level of training and the confidence the medical team has in him», said Dr. Vital Hevia, a specialist in uro-oncology.
An active member of several prestigious medical institutions, including the European Association of Urology (EAU), the Spanish Association of Urology (AEU), and the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM), Dr. Belkahia is also committed to knowledge-sharing and the dissemination of best practices.