RSU Medical Education Technology Centre showcases HUGO robotic surgery system

On Wednesday, 28 August, a demonstration of the HUGO (Medtronic Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery) robotic system took place at the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Medical Education Technology Centre (METC), at 26a Anniņmuižas bulv..

Opening the event, Minister of Health Hosams Abu Meri highlighted the importance of innovative robotic equipment for the future of surgery. "The use of robotics in the medical field has contributed significantly to the development of medical technology. It was a pleasure to visit the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre, where healthcare professionals presented the latest possibilities of using robotics in medical treatment, which will contribute to a safer environment for both patients and medical professionals," the Minister said.

Foto: RSU archive

The Medtronic Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System is an advanced surgical technology designed to make surgical procedures more efficient. The system is modular and portable, allowing it to be adapted to different operating rooms and procedures. It is particularly suitable for urological and gynaecological procedures, but its versatility allows it to be used in other surgical specialities.

"Medical progress has been very rapid in the last decade, and new knowledge, skills and evidence-based practices are being introduced into surgery at an ever-increasing pace. We are proud that the robots we saw only a few months ago during our visit to the Johns Hopkins Medical Centre in the USA are now on display in our backyard - the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre," said RSU Rector Professor Aigars Pētersons, addressing the heads of Latvian medical institutions, representatives of the Ministry of Health and medical professionals attending the event.

RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons. Photo: RSU archives

Jeffrey Houle, Vice President of VP Surgical Medtronic, the developer of the robotic surgery device, described the technical capabilities of the device, the history of its development and examples of its use to date. Haralds Plaudis, Member of the Board of Riga East University Hospital, appreciated the opportunity for doctors to get acquainted with future surgical technologies and stressed the importance of human-technology interaction.

Under the guidance of Ieva Šlēziņa, Director of the RSU METC, the participants got acquainted with the opportunities METC offers to future and current medical professionals to update their skills and learn new ones.

From the left: Minister of Health Hosams Abu Meri, RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons. Photo: RSU

Participants had a unique opportunity to try and learn the HUGO equipment in practice. Latvian medical professionals will have the opportunity to train and learn the skills of working with the robot during the next three days.