Robotics and the Future of Healthcare

I had the honor of moderating a discussion at LEAP25 with the esteemed CEO of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC), HE Dr Majid Al Fayyadh, MD, MMM , on the revolutionary use of robotics in surgery. The discussion kicked off with an introduction to the Crown Prince's Vision 2030 and the determinations of government entities to turn it into a reality. Dr. Majed emphasized KFSH&RC's steadfast commitment to Vision 2030 and its global healthcare leadership, showcasing how these accomplishments reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global leader in specialized medicine.

The discussion focused on KFSHRC’s recent groundbreaking achievement—the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant—and explored how emerging technologies are shaping the future of healthcare. Dr Majed provided an overview of the world's first fully robotic heart transplant procedure, which was performed at KFSH&RC. He highlighted the critical factors for success and team collaboration, including the preparation of the medical team, the patient’s recovery process, and the impact of robotic surgery on their quality of life compared to traditional methods.

Dr Majed emphasized that the whole healthcare sector can benefit from this advancement and that KFSHRC has received international recognition and words of appreciation for their pioneering work in this field. He also shared his belief that healthcare disruption will not be changed from inside but from external sources, and that we can learn a lot from other industries.

The CEO also discussed the expansion of robotic applications beyond surgery, including pharmacy automation and administrative tasks. He provided examples of innovative robotic implementations at KFSH&RC, which have improved patient care and treatment outcomes. Dr. Majed discussed the strategies he has implemented to build human capacity and retain talent in the face of high demand. The CEO shared his vision for merging AI with robotics and maintaining global leadership in healthcare while adapting to rapid technological advancements. He discussed opportunities around continued advancement of AI, personalized medicine, genomics, hospitals without walls, and how KFSH&RC will continue to maintain its position as a global leader in healthcare while navigating the rapid pace of technological change.

At the end of the discussion, Dr Majed surprised the audience by inviting the patient who underwent the world's first fully robotic heart transplant on-stage. The patient shared his experience of the procedure, recovery, and his current health. He answered questions from the audience, providing a first-hand account of the impact of robotic surgery on patient care and treatment outcomes.