![[APHA]](/images/logo_apha.svg){kind=logo}
Sunshine Coast residents are benefiting from major investment in the region by Australia's largest private hospitals operator.
Ramsay Health Care has attracted top specialists from around the country with the introduction of state-of-the-art technology at Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital (SCUPH), where it has also started a $10 million project to build new operating theatres.
Dr Kareem Marwan performed the region's first robotic bowel resection in September 2023, after moving from Melbourne where he had undertaken the procedure nearly 300 times.
"It is absolutely a delight to be part of this milestone on the Sunshine Coast," said Dr Marwan, a robotic and colorectal surgeon.
"Havingstate-of-the-arttechnology available in our own backyard is great for the community."
A 33-year-old woman with bowel cancer was the first recipient of his expertise at SCUPH.
Traditional bowel resection via open surgerythrough the abdominal wall would usuallyrequire a hospital stay ofup totwo weeks, but the patient was able to return home the following daythanksto the minimally-invasive nature of the robotic procedure.
"Robotic surgery is designed to helpenablea quicker recovery,withmostpatientsable to return home within 48 hoursoftheir bowel resection,"Dr Marwansaid.
"The surgeonoperatesat a 3D-enabled console with 10 times magnification and a very stableoptical platform.
"It'sveryprecise,delicateandtimely."
SCUPH's Acting CEO, Samantha Dodd, said Ramsay Health Care's investment in technology and specialists had brought advanced treatment closer to local communities.
"Having procedures locally can help relieve stress on the patient as well as their family and friends," Ms Dodd said.
"Leading robotic technology, along with our $10 millionoperating theatre upgradethat'sunderway, has also helped us attract some of thecountry'sbest doctors to the Sunshine State."
Read more: Robotic surgery will benefit Sunshine Coast residents
Read more: New options for Noosa cancer patients
Next News And Innovation:
2/10/2023 AI system spots early cancer signs
Previous News And Innovation:
2/10/2023 Social media solution for stroke patients