Get well soon, robot surgeons are here in UAE

UAE - More hospitals in the UAE are now turning to robotic surgery to perform some of the most complex and dynamic procedures. But will advanced artificial intelligence in the medical field soon replace real-life doctors in the country?

"Robotic surgeries have more control over the precision of the incision, minimal blood loss, less risk of infection, faster recovery and less pain for the patient," said Dr Shabeer Nellikode, managing director, Universal Hospital.

He told Khaleej Times that artificial intelligence can achieve what man cannot achieve in various aspects in the medical field.

Dr Nellikode said that Universal Hospital was one of the first to use robotic pharmacy dispensing back in 2012, which allows error-free drug count - something that a human may not always be guaranteed to do ever-so precisely.

Moreover, the hospital is also launching a child-sized robot this year, which Dr Nellikode said will immensely help children with autism.

"There are a lot of children with autism spectrum disorder in the UAE. The child-sized humanised robot will be able to play with children with autism and support them."

He pointed out that autistic children will interact and feel closer to the robot than with humans, because the robot will carry similar characteristics to them. "The children will be interacting with 'people' who do not have a taboo to play with them."

Dr Nellikode stressed that although artificial intelligence and robotics are taking centre stage in the medical field, they will not necessarily replace doctors.