In a landmark achievement for global healthcare and telemedicine, Indian urologist Dr Syed Mohammed Ghouse successfully performed a robot-assisted surgery on a patient in Hyderabad while operating remotely from Wuhan, China, nearly 3,000 kilometres away.
The complex surgery, conducted using advanced robotic technology and ultra-fast 5G connectivity, is being hailed as a major breakthrough in cross-border medical collaboration and the future of remote healthcare. The operation reportedly lasted around 90 minutes and involved a robotic ureteral reimplantation procedure, commonly known as bladder reconnection surgery.
The surgery was performed from a console at Tongji Hospital, where Dr Ghouse remotely controlled robotic surgical arms installed in an operation theatre in Hyderabad. The robotic system transmitted real-time high-definition 3D visuals through a high-speed 5G network, enabling the surgeon to perform delicate movements with remarkable precision. According to reports, the communication delay was less than 200 milliseconds, allowing the robotic arms to mirror the surgeon’s hand movements almost instantaneously.
Doctors in Wuhan and Hyderabad reportedly coordinated extensively before the procedure. The medical teams jointly reviewed the patient’s records online, mapped the surgical pathway and prepared contingency plans. A local surgical team remained physically present beside the patient in Hyderabad throughout the operation to provide immediate assistance if required.
The achievement was highlighted by Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, who described the procedure as “life-saving care transcending borders.” The surgery was among several international remote surgical demonstrations showcased during the 10th Congress of the Chinese Chapter of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.
Dr Ghouse is associated with Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology and is regarded as one of India’s leading robotic urologists. With more than 15 years of experience, he has reportedly performed over 1,200 robotic surgeries and more than 3,000 laparoscopic procedures. He is also known for his work in uro-oncology, kidney transplantation and reconstructive urology.
Medical experts say the success of the procedure demonstrates how emerging technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and 5G connectivity could transform healthcare delivery, particularly in regions lacking specialist surgeons. Remote robotic surgeries could, in the future, help bridge geographical barriers and bring advanced medical care to underserved areas without requiring patients to travel long distances.
Healthcare analysts also view the development as a significant moment for Indo-Chinese medical cooperation at a time when digital healthcare and telemedicine are rapidly expanding across the world. The successful surgery underlines the growing role of technology in making specialised healthcare more accessible, faster and safer across borders.