
Royal Medical Services Achieve Milestone with 100 Successful Robotic Surgeries
Brigadier Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services, described the achievement as a 'major leap in surgical care' that reflects the hospital's commitment to adopting the latest medical innovations and enhancing patient outcomes.
'The use of the Hugo RAS system not only speeds up patient recovery but also delivers exceptional surgical results in line with the highest international standards,' he said, praising the dedication and skill of the hospital's medical and technical teams.
The cutting-edge Hugo RAS system features a 3D camera and four robotic arms equipped with highly precise surgical tools. Surgeons control the system remotely via a console, enabling them to perform complex procedures with greater accuracy, flexibility, and reduced risk of infection compared to traditional surgeries.
The 100 surgeries included a wide range of procedures in urology, general surgery, and gynecology. These involved complex operations such as kidney removals (partial and radical), prostate removal, ureteroplasty, hernia repairs, colon surgery (including TATME), ovarian cyst removal, hysterectomy, and fibroid removal. All surgeries were completed successfully, with no significant complications and faster patient recovery times.
The Royal Medical Services highlighted that the use of robotic surgery has significantly reduced hospital stays and enhanced the quality of care, marking a new era in the Kingdom's healthcare system.
This achievement reflects the institution's ongoing efforts to provide safe, effective, and technologically advanced healthcare, cementing its reputation as a regional leader in modern medicine.

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Daily Tribune
30-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Royal Medical Services Achieve Milestone with 100 Successful Robotic Surgeries
The Royal Medical Services has reached a groundbreaking medical milestone by successfully performing 100 surgeries using the advanced Hugo RAS robotic surgery system, becoming the first medical institution in the Middle East to achieve this feat. Brigadier Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services, described the achievement as a 'major leap in surgical care' that reflects the hospital's commitment to adopting the latest medical innovations and enhancing patient outcomes. 'The use of the Hugo RAS system not only speeds up patient recovery but also delivers exceptional surgical results in line with the highest international standards,' he said, praising the dedication and skill of the hospital's medical and technical teams. The cutting-edge Hugo RAS system features a 3D camera and four robotic arms equipped with highly precise surgical tools. Surgeons control the system remotely via a console, enabling them to perform complex procedures with greater accuracy, flexibility, and reduced risk of infection compared to traditional surgeries. The 100 surgeries included a wide range of procedures in urology, general surgery, and gynecology. These involved complex operations such as kidney removals (partial and radical), prostate removal, ureteroplasty, hernia repairs, colon surgery (including TATME), ovarian cyst removal, hysterectomy, and fibroid removal. All surgeries were completed successfully, with no significant complications and faster patient recovery times. The Royal Medical Services highlighted that the use of robotic surgery has significantly reduced hospital stays and enhanced the quality of care, marking a new era in the Kingdom's healthcare system. This achievement reflects the institution's ongoing efforts to provide safe, effective, and technologically advanced healthcare, cementing its reputation as a regional leader in modern medicine.


Daily Tribune
25-02-2025
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Launches Electronic Registration for Organ Donation
The members of the parliament have praised the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Royal Medical Services and the Information and E-Government Authority, for developing an electronic registration mechanism for organ donation services on the national portal of the Kingdom of Bahrain ( This initiative allows citizens and residents wishing to donate their organs while alive, or to recommend organ donation after death for patients suffering from organ failure, to submit registration requests electronically. They can also inquire about the status of their applications and cancel them if necessary. In statements to Bahrain News Agency (BNA), representatives highlighted the health, social, and humanitarian aspects of this development, which aims to provide sustainable medical services in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, and under the continuous follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. They commended the government's efforts to digitize and enhance public services, particularly in the health sector. Dr. Hisham Al-Ashiri, a member of the House of Representatives, expressed his support for the launch of the electronic platform for the organ donation program, "Whoever Saves a Life," calling it a pioneering step in promoting a culture of organ donation in Bahrain. He emphasized that this initiative reflects significant progress in the health field and enhances social solidarity, allowing citizens and residents to register as donors either during their lives or by recommending posthumous donation. Al-Ashiri noted that organ donation has profound humanitarian and social dimensions, reinforcing the values of giving and compassion among members of the Bahraini community. He highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of this initiative, urging all segments of society to engage with the platform, thus fostering a spirit of responsibility and humanitarian solidarity. Jalila Al-Sayed, a member of the House of Representatives and Chair of the Services Committee, described the launch of the electronic registration mechanism for organ donation as a significant national achievement and a qualitative leap in healthcare. She praised the efforts of the Ministry of Health, Royal Medical Services, and the Information and E-Government Authority in developing this service, which will help save the lives of many patients suffering from organ failure. Al-Sayed announced that she would be the first to register on the platform once it officially launches, reiterating that this initiative embodies the spirit of giving and community solidarity, enhancing the noble human values that characterize Bahraini society. She also noted that having an updated and reliable electronic donor list will enable doctors to expedite life-saving procedures and improve the efficiency of the health system. Dr. Hassan Boukhamas, another member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and National Security Committee, stated that the development of the organ donation registration mechanism encourages citizens and residents to join the national program, providing reliability for those wishing to donate. He mentioned that the Bahraini community believes in the importance of community giving, and the existence of an official platform enhances the credibility of the procedures and ensures smooth implementation. Dr. Boukhamas added that healthcare services continue to evolve under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, emphasizing that the program will facilitate doctors' work in saving patients in shorter time frames compared to the past, thus contributing to the development of healthcare services in Bahrain, saving lives, and improving quality of life. Mamdouh Al-Saleh, another member of the House of Representatives, explained that the launch of the organ donation platform reflects the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing its healthcare system and fostering values of solidarity and community support. He noted that this pioneering initiative simplifies the registration process for donors, helping to create an accurate database that enables doctors to swiftly save the lives of patients suffering from organ failure while respecting human dignity and rights. Al-Saleh stressed that organ donation is a noble humanitarian act aligned with high moral values. He emphasized that promoting this culture in Bahraini society not only contributes to the improvement of healthcare services but also reflects a spirit of community responsibility and reinforces the meanings of sustainable giving, opening new horizons of hope for patients and their families while supporting the Kingdom's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in organ transplantation. Hanane Fardan, a member of the House of Representatives, highlighted the importance of recognizing and honoring donors in the community through the announcement of the registration development for organ donation services. She underscored the necessity of community awareness regarding the benefits of organ donation, encouraging individuals to view it as a noble act. Fardan called on relevant authorities and media outlets to celebrate donors as inspiring heroes and sources of hope for patients. Basma Mubarak, another member of the House of Representatives, pointed out that this modern and advanced approach comes amidst rapid developments in organ transplantation, which have achieved significant successes in saving many patients' lives. She stated that this national initiative aims to streamline procedures and reduce the time required to complete organ transplantation processes, thereby enhancing their chances of success and better meeting patient needs. Mubarak affirmed that organ donation represents one of the highest forms of altruism and giving, embodying the divine principle: "Whoever saves a life is as if they have saved all of humanity." She emphasized that this noble act carries immense human value, extending beyond the individual to encompass the entire community, reflecting an added national value that contributes to spreading hope and enhancing solidarity in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bader Al-Tamimi, a member of the House of Representatives, confirmed that the launch of the platform is a pioneering step in enhancing community giving in Bahrain, contributing to saving the lives of many patients in need of organ transplants. He noted that the platform will help increase the number of organ donors, reducing lengthy waiting lists and improving the quality of healthcare provided. Al-Tamimi pointed out that this initiative reflects the spirit of solidarity and cooperation among members of the Bahraini community, reinforcing values of collaboration and compassion. Dr. Munir Sarour, a member of the House of Representatives, emphasized that developing the organ donation service, both for living donors and for those who wish to recommend posthumous donation, is a crucial step in facilitating the donation process. He noted that this contributes to saving lives and improving quality of life. Dr. Sarour emphasized that these qualitative steps deserve full support for their humanitarian and organizational dimensions and their positive impact on improving healthcare and providing hope for many patients, such as those with heart, kidney, liver, and other organ transplant needs. He stated, "There is no greater value than saving a life and contributing to the recovery of patients," indicating that creating an appropriate environment for donation and educating the community about its importance will help ensure a sufficient supply of organs and a reliable list of donors, alleviating patients' burdens from long and costly treatment journeys abroad for organ transplantation. He commended the efforts of the Ministry of Health, Royal Medical Services, and the Information and E-Government Authority in launching the "Whoever Saves a Life" initiative for registering organ donations on the national portal of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Lastly, Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, a member of the House of Representatives, confirmed that the launch of the organ donation platform will enhance the spirit of community giving and improve the quality of healthcare services in Bahrain. He noted that this initiative aligns with national efforts to promote solidarity and community support, reinforcing noble human values and establishing a culture of organ donation as a humanitarian, religious, and ethical obligation. Hassan Ibrahim Hassan stressed that Bahrain continues to adopt policies and initiatives that enhance the efficiency of its healthcare system and promote community solidarity, praising the significant efforts of doctors and nurses while appreciating the role of the Ministry of Health, Royal Medical Services, and the Information and E-Government Authority in developing this service. He also emphasized that enhancing the digital infrastructure in healthcare will improve the efficiency of medical services and strengthen the healthcare system's ability to meet the needs of citizens and residents. It is worth noting that registering for organ donation requires users to access the service using a basic electronic key or the developed electronic key 2.0, followed by entering required information, including name, ID number, type of donation, and the organs intended for donation. The organs available for donation include a portion of the liver, one kidney, bone marrow, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, heart valves, pancreas, tissues, corneas, or bones. Users must then fill out the electronic form related to "living" donation or the form for posthumous donation, depending on their choice. Users can also access the service to inquire about the status of their applications electronically, allowing them to learn about their submission status and details, which include five categories: processing, approved, rejected, canceled, or awaiting approval based on the applicant's health status.


Bahrain News Gazette
18-02-2025
- Bahrain News Gazette
Health Ministry and Royal Medical Services Announce Bahrain's First CRISPR-Based Sickle Cell Treatment Success
Manama: The Ministry of Health and the Royal Medical Services held a press conference highlighting the details of the Kingdom's successful completion of the world's first sickle cell disease patient treatment outside the US using CRISPR-based bone marrow transplantation. According to Bahrain News Agency, the press conference discussing the medical milestone was held at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research. It was attended by Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health; Brigadier Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services; Dr. Jamila Mohammed Redha Al Salman, Shura Council member and director of the gene therapy project; and Dr. Noora Mohammed Yusuf Butti, representative of the Bahrain Oncology Centre. The Minister of Health emphasised Bahrain's commitment to medical innovation, with strong support from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. She noted that Bahrain was among the first countries to approve CRISPR-based gene editing therapy in December 2023, becoming the first in the Middle East and the second globally, after the UK, to authorise its use for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent thalassemia. The Minister highlighted Bahrain's ongoing investment in advanced medical infrastructure, facilities, and technology. She noted that the nation's efforts have led to acquiring innovative genetic therapy technology that positively impacted the quality of life for hemoglobinopathy patients. Brigadier Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa highlighted the Kingdom of Bahrain's focus on world-class healthcare. He noted that in May 2024, the Bahrain Oncology Centre was accredited by Vertex Pharmaceuticals for bone marrow transplantation and cell cellular therapy. The achievement was made possible through collaboration between the ministry, Government Hospitals, the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), and global partners, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics. Dr. Jamila Mohammed Redha Al Salman, Shura Council member and director of the gene therapy project, highlighted that the modern technology used in the patient's treatment was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. She explained that the treatment process involves medical evaluation, stem cell collection, genetic modification using CRISPR, and transplanting the edited cells into the patient. The therapy eliminates symptoms such as pain crises and blood clots, significantly improving quality of life for these patients. Dr. Noora Mohammed Yusuf Butti outlined the different treatment phases the patient underwent as part of the treatment process. The first stage involved patient selection, which required comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations to ensure eligibility in line with the clinical trial results. She explained that the patient then underwent physiological conditioning of the bone marrow through blood exchange in preparation for the transplantation. The third stage involved stem cell collection, where the patient was given medication to stimulate bone marrow production of stem cells. These cells were then collected and sent to specialised centres for genetic modification. Dr. Butti stated that after the genetic editing of the cells, the patient was admitted to the Bahrain Oncology Centre for the conditioning phase where he was administered medication to eliminate old bone marrow prior to the introduction of the genetically edited stem cells. The edited stem cells were then reintroduced into the bloodstream through the arteries, without the need for surgery. The final stage involved the recovery of the bone marrow cells and the patient's full remission from sickle cell disease. Dr Noora emphasised that the entire treatment process, which spans several months, requires full cooperation between the patient and medical team, as well as strict adherence to medical instructions and guidelines for optimal results.