Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre to sponsor MICCAI conference

Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre is an initiative from QSTP (Qatar Science & Technology Park) that seeks to become a focal point for international expertise in robotic surgery.

It will develop three core activities: demonstration of surgical technologies, training of medical and non-medical staff and technology development.

The MICCAI sponsorship complements the Centre's collaborative work with Imperial College London. The Centre's philosophy is to promote technical development of medical robotics through national and international partnerships. Local research networks will be established with Qatar based universities, hospitals, companies and government organizations.

These research networks will be reinforced through its work with International Centers of Excellence such as Imperial College London. Through this initiative, Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre will directly contribute to the transformation of Qatar into an internationally recognized hub for robotic surgery. Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre applies a collaborative approach to all its activities.

Apart from Imperial College London, Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre also partners with Hamad Medical Corporation, which is the biggest health care system in Qatar. It also intends to collaborate with local universities, e.g. Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medical College, to develop new technologies. Individual expert surgeons and their hospitals will also work with the Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre alongside international training organizations consistently elevating the quality of its training programme.

The Centre will start its activities in early 2010 and will be equipped with three Da Vinci medical robots and ten laparoscopic simulators. Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre will have a simulated operating theatre and a 'tele-mentoring suite' where live robotic surgeries will be transmitted in 3D. Twelve highly qualified staff members will be working in the Centre permanently, although many more will be engaged through national and international collaborations in technology development and training activities.

Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre will deliver training in robotic surgery to surgeons, nurses and technical support teams as well as to hospital management and researchers. The training programmes will cover different levels of experience and expertise from basic skills to highly specialized master courses. Hamad Medical Corporation will heavily contribute to the quality of the training programmes, by jointly operating the animal laboratory, organizing live clinical observation and by sharing experience and staff.