Aster Royal Al Raffah introduces Oman’s first private sector robotic surgery program

OMAN—Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital in Al Ghubra, Muscat, has become the first private healthcare facility in Oman to offer robotic-assisted surgery, opening a new chapter in the country’s medical landscape.

The development places Oman among a select group of GCC nations providing robotic surgery outside the public healthcare system.

The project received strong backing from His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, whose strategic vision helped pave the way for this advancement.

His Excellency the Undersecretary for Planning and Health Regulation, along with the Director General of the Directorate General of Private Health Institutions, provided crucial support to make the initiative a reality.

First procedures mark new era

Following the inaugural robotic surgery at Royal Oman Hospital in December 2025, Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital completed four complex gynaecological procedures over two days.

Dr. Thuria Al Rawahi, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and a leading laparoscopic onco-gynaecology surgeon in Oman, performed the surgeries under the guidance of Dr. Somashekhar, an internationally recognized Robotic Oncology Surgeon and Head of Aster International Institute of Oncology.

The team used the SSI Mantra 3 robotic surgical system, a next-generation platform developed by SSI Innovations in India.

The system delivers high-definition 3D visualization through an open surgeon console and features advanced recording and live-streaming capabilities that will enable future tele-proctoring and tele-surgery.

Successful patient outcomes

The initial procedures addressed various complex gynaecological conditions.

A 61-year-old woman with suspected uterine cancer underwent surgery to remove her uterus, ovaries, and nearby lymph nodes.

A 51-year-old woman with severe endometriosis and adenomyosis had her uterus removed while preserving her ovaries, despite challenging bowel adhesions.

A 49-year-old woman received treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding, and a 47-year-old woman had an ovarian cyst removed.

All patients recovered smoothly and left the hospital in stable condition, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the robotic-assisted approach.

Advancing Oman’s healthcare vision

The milestone supports Aster DM Healthcare’s ‘Treat in Oman’ initiative, which aims to provide advanced medical care locally and reduce the need for residents to seek treatment abroad.

The collaboration with the Ministry of Health aligns with Oman Vision 2040, showing how public-private partnerships can elevate healthcare standards nationwide.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Salim Al-Mandhari, Undersecretary for Planning and Health Regulation at the Ministry of Health, expressed pride in seeing robotic-assisted surgery reach the private sector.

He emphasized that this collaboration demonstrates how partnerships can drive innovation, strengthen clinical expertise, and support Oman’s ambition to become a regional healthcare hub.

Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, explained that the ‘Treat in Oman’ initiative seeks to eliminate the need for residents to travel abroad for advanced care.

She noted that introducing robotic surgery in the private sector raises Oman’s standard of care while contributing to the Sultanate’s goal of achieving global healthcare excellence.

She thanked the Ministry of Health and the Directorate General of Private Health Establishments for their essential support.

Building on success

Dr. Muhanna Nasser Al Musalhi, Director General of the Directorate General of Private Health Establishments, highlighted that the introduction of robotic surgery at Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital represents a critical step in empowering Oman residents to access the best health services.

He confirmed that the hospital is the first private institution to offer this service in the country and the second overall after Royal Hospital, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to elevating healthcare quality in both sectors.

Dr. Al Rawahi described robotic surgery as the future of minimal access care, improving precision, reducing complications, and enabling faster recovery.

She emphasized that patients can now benefit from world-class surgical techniques without leaving Oman.

Dr. Somashekhar called the SSI Mantra 3 system’s introduction a major advancement, noting that the platform offers exceptional precision, ergonomics, and training potential that will expand treatment capabilities across multiple specialties.

Expanding access to advanced care

Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital plans to extend robotic-assisted care to urology, gastrointestinal surgery, gynaecology, thyroid surgery, paediatric surgery, and oncologic procedures.

This expansion will enable more residents to access advanced surgical care locally, enhancing patient safety, reducing recovery times, and improving long-term outcomes while reinforcing Oman’s position as a destination for cutting-edge medical treatment.