Vietnam to Use Robot in Endoscopic Surgery, 1st in History

Vietnam will run a center using robot in endoscopic surgery in the National Hospital of Pediatrics on Feb 27, the first of its kind in the country, state media reported on Feb 25. With an investment of VND100 billion ($4.8 million), the center is equipped with advanced robotic devices, including those worth $3 million, supporting doctors in complicated cases. The center got an approval by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2012 and aims to raise the capacity of surgery for Vietnam’s healthcare sector, which is believed to be behind the times some decades. However, Vietnam has made significant achievements in surgery, including endoscopic surgery and transplantation, over the past years. (Tuoi Tre – Youth Feb 25 p14)