Ministry of Defense performs Saudi Arabia’s first Riyadh-Dhahran remote robotic surgery

SAUDI ARABIA—The Health Services of the Ministry of Defense has conducted Saudi Arabia’s first remote robotic surgery between two of its healthcare facilities in Riyadh and Dhahran, with technical support from stc group.

The procedure used advanced digital infrastructure and high-reliability communications technology to connect medical teams at the two facilities, enabling specialists to perform surgery remotely despite the geographical distance between the sites.

The operation demonstrated how digital connectivity can support the delivery of specialist surgical care across regions.

It also brought together medical teams and technical specialists responsible for networks and digital infrastructure to ensure that the procedure was carried out safely and accurately.

Secure digital infrastructure

stc group designed and operated the integrated digital communications system supporting the procedure.

The system provided a secure, high-reliability network connecting the operating rooms at both healthcare facilities and integrating the technical systems required for the surgery.

The network enabled the real-time transmission of medical data and imaging while supporting remote control of the robotic surgical system.

According to stc group, the infrastructure allowed these processes to take place with high levels of efficiency and precision.

The successful procedure highlights the role of reliable digital connectivity in enabling remote access to specialist medical expertise.

By linking healthcare facilities over secure communications networks, remote robotic surgery could help specialists provide advanced surgical services to patients who may otherwise need to travel to another city for treatment.

Supporting healthcare transformation

The collaboration between the Ministry of Defense Health Services and stc group forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider efforts to use digital technologies to develop its healthcare system.

The initiative supports the expansion of specialist healthcare services across the country while strengthening the technological infrastructure underpinning healthcare delivery.

The remote procedure also demonstrates the potential for closer integration between healthcare providers and technology companies as digital tools become increasingly important in clinical settings.

In this case, the combination of medical expertise, robotic surgery and high-speed communications infrastructure enabled a surgical team to operate across geographically separated facilities.

The achievement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare services while accelerating digital transformation across the health sector.