
Kuwait Achieves Guinness World Record for Longest Distance Remote Robotic Surgery
Kuwait has officially secured a Guinness World Records title for the longest distance between a patient and a surgeon during a remote robotic surgery. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Health (MOH), Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, Zain Kuwait (the country’s leading telecom operator), and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS).
The record-breaking surgery was performed by a surgical team at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital on a patient located in Brazil, spanning an impressive distance exceeding 12,000 kilometers.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at Zain’s headquarters in Shuwaikh. Prominent figures in attendance included:
- Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi
- Director General of KFAS, Dr. Ameenah Rajab Farhan
- Zain Kuwait CEO, Nawaf Al-Gharabally
- The Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital surgical team, led by Dr. Sulaiman Almazeedi, Dr. Mohannad Alhaddad, and Dr. Hmoud Alrashidi
During the conference, an official representative from Guinness World Records presented certificates to the Minister of Health, the surgical team, Zain, and KFAS, formally recognizing the achievement. The surgical teams operating from Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait and from SCOLLA at Hospital Cruz Vermelha in Brazil were jointly credited with this remarkable feat.
Pioneering Role in Remote Digital Surgery
This accomplishment highlights Kuwait’s leading position in the field of remote digital surgery. It demonstrates the effective use of advanced medical technologies and Zain’s state-of-the-art telecom infrastructure to achieve a global first.
Minister Al-Awadhi emphasized the significance of this achievement: “Kuwait’s inclusion in the Guinness World Records with a medical and technological achievement of this magnitude is not merely a global record. It is a clear message that our national healthcare system is capable of standing at the forefront globally.” He further stated that the success demonstrated the power of combining will, science, and technology to overcome geographical barriers and establish Kuwait as a global hub for medical innovation. He acknowledged the collective effort of medical, technical, and administrative teams, along with the partnership of Zain and KFAS, in achieving this milestone.
Dr. Farhan, Director General of KFAS, expressed her joy at the accomplishment, highlighting the innovation that transcended continents and distances. She emphasized that this national achievement places Kuwait on the map of global medical leadership. She stated that the distance between the surgeon and the patient, exceeding 12,000 kilometers, seemed almost fictional, but it was a testament to the value of innovation combined with national medical excellence and advanced connectivity infrastructure.
She further emphasized that the partnership between the Ministry of Health, KFAS, and Zain demonstrated how creativity, knowledge, and technology can create historic impact. She also highlighted that this success reflects KFAS’s commitment to the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and his trusted Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as the guidance of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.
Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, emphasized that this achievement is not just a world record but a significant step towards a thriving digital future. He highlighted Zain's commitment to delivering "Lasting Connections and Better Lives" and showcasing technology's impact on people's lives. He acknowledged the pivotal support of Zain Group Vice Chairman and CEO Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi.
He stated that Zain’s contribution alongside national institutions reaffirms its leadership in driving digital transformation in the healthcare sector. He added that Kuwait possesses the talent and capabilities to lead a new era where geographic borders are overcome by the power of technological innovation.
Al-Gharabally explained that Zain's role as a leading provider of digital infrastructure enabled the deployment of advanced technologies in cross-continental connectivity, ensuring ultra-fast response times for the surgical procedure. He emphasized that this achievement demonstrates that the future of digital medicine is supported by all state institutions and by strategic partnerships that bring together science and technology.
Key Technical Aspects of the Surgery
The Guinness World Records statement provided further details about the surgery:
- Date: September 23, 2025
- Location: Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait and SCOLLA in Hospital Cruz Vermelha in Brazil
- Distance: 12,034.92 km (7,480 miles) each way
- Procedure: Inguinal TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal) repair, using advanced robotic surgical systems connected over a secured high-bandwidth international network provided by Zain Telecommunications and supported by KFAS.
- Latency: Average of 199 milliseconds
- Bandwidth: Average of 80 Mbps
- Packet Loss: Just 0.19 percent
- Surgeons: Dr. Sulaiman Almazeedi, Dr. Marcelo Loureiro, Dr. Mohannad Alhaddad, Dr. Ahmed Karim, Dr. Hmoud Alrashidi, and Dr. Leandro Totti Cavazzola
The statement emphasized the successful and safe completion of both operations, highlighting the feasibility of global collaboration in surgical care and setting a new benchmark in the field of remote robotic surgery.
Zain's Crucial Role in Connectivity
The project presented significant technical challenges, particularly in ensuring a fast and stable network connection between Kuwait and Brazil. Zain addressed these challenges by providing advanced international MPLS technology, creating a secure, high-speed link. This resulted in a remarkably low latency of approximately 199 milliseconds throughout the procedure, enabling the surgeons to control the robot almost in real time despite the enormous distance. This reliable connection was a crucial factor in ensuring the success of the remote surgery, demonstrating Kuwait’s infrastructure readiness to support global digital medical innovations.
Saud Al-Fawzan, Vice Chairman of SADITA Holding and AUMET, expressed his pride in receiving the Guinness World Records title, stating that it affirms the importance of breaking boundaries and harnessing creativity. He emphasized AUMET's vision to embrace technological revolutions, from robotic surgical systems to artificial intelligence, to create healthcare without limits.
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