The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) recently celebrated a remarkable achievement—more than 300 robotic surgery cases completed in just two years, the fastest among hospitals in the country to reach this milestone. This accomplishment underscores the hospital’s unwavering commitment to innovation and patient care, made possible by its bold decision in 2022 to invest in robotic technology despite significant challenges and uncertainties.
Although the first robotic surgery in the Philippines was performed in 2010—incidentally by a surgeon affiliated with CGHMC—it took seven more years before the hospital acquired its robotic surgery system. This transformative decision in 2022 became a turning point, propelling CGHMC to the forefront of advanced surgical care.
CGHMC President and CEO Mr. Kelly Sia commended the Robocare Surgery Center team for their dedication and hard work. “When we decided to invest heavily in robotic technology, we knew we were taking a bold step that required vision, innovation, and commitment.”
He emphasized that milestones like this are more than just numbers. “Each of these 300 cases represents a life changed—a father returning to his family sooner, a mother recovering with fewer complications, and countless patients finding hope through advanced care.”
The celebration gathered CGHMC’s Robotic Surgeons specializing in Urology, General Surgery, and Gynecology alongside anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff. With the administration’s full backing and a strong partnership with Device Technologies Incorporated, the hospital successfully trained more surgeons in robotic procedures locally and abroad. These collective efforts have propelled CGHMC to the forefront of robotic surgery in the Philippines, surpassing the case numbers of many established centers in just two years.
Medical Director Dr. Samuel Ang underscored the significance of this milestone, praising the administration’s vision and the unwavering dedication of the entire team. He also highlighted the exceptional achievements of Dr. Sammy Cunanan, Head of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), whose department performed over 3,000 MIS cases in a single year—an unprecedented feat for any local institution.
Dr. Jason Letran, the Director of the Robocare Surgery Center and regarded as the “Father of Philippine Robotic Surgery,” having performed the country’s first robotic surgery, reflected on CGHMC’s journey, expressing gratitude for the administration’s transformative decision to invest in robotics and the support of the Robocare Surgery team.
The celebration concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and a collective commitment to achieving 500 robotic cases by next year, further solidifying CGHMC’s position as a major force in advanced surgical care.
