Jakarta, INTI - Bali International Hospital (BIH), located within the Sanur Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ), officially launched its robotic gastrointestinal surgery technology during its first year of operation, achieving two major milestones: the first robotic gastrointestinal surgery performed in Bali and Eastern Indonesia, and Indonesia's first robotic-assisted combined surgical procedure on June 29, 2026.
President Director & CEO of BIH, Dr. Noel Yeo, described the achievements as a significant milestone for the hospital, which has been operating for just one year.
"We have just celebrated the first anniversary of our inauguration, and I believe this is an extraordinary milestone. For such a young hospital to be able to perform robotic surgery is truly remarkable," he said.
BIH was officially inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto on June 25, 2025.
The hospital's inaugural robotic procedure involved a robot-assisted gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
BIH also successfully completed Indonesia's first robotic-assisted combined procedure, consisting of an adrenal tumor removal together with a gallbladder removal in a single operation.
According to Dr. Noel, this combination of two robotic-assisted procedures had never previously been performed in Indonesia.
"Yesterday marked our first milestone, and today we have reached our second. BIH successfully carried out Indonesia's first robotic-assisted combined procedure involving both adrenal tumor removal and gallbladder removal, something that has never been done in the country before," he said.
Advancing International Standard Healthcare in Indonesia
As part of Indonesia's Health Special Economic Zone developed by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, BIH aims to demonstrate the country's growing healthcare capabilities while providing internationally recognized medical services closer to home.
During its first year of operations, the hospital has continued expanding its portfolio of advanced healthcare services while strengthening Bali's position as a leading medical tourism destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Noel expressed hope that Indonesians would increasingly choose domestic healthcare services before seeking treatment abroad.
He emphasized that Indonesia is home to many highly skilled surgeons and young medical professionals, underscoring the country's strong healthcare talent pool.
"We want BIH to become the first choice for Indonesians before they even consider seeking treatment in Malaysia or Singapore. Indonesia has many outstanding surgeons and young doctors. I firmly believe our country, the largest in Southeast Asia, has no shortage of healthcare talent," he said.
Robotic Surgery Enhances Precision and Patient Recovery
Digestive Surgery Specialist at BIH Sanur Health SEZ, Dr. I Made Mulyawan, MD, PhD, said robotic surgery has become a standard medical technology in many developed countries and should be made more widely available across Indonesia.
He explained that robotic-assisted surgery offers greater precision, minimally invasive procedures, faster patient recovery, and improved clinical outcomes compared with conventional surgery.
During the symposium, BIH showcased the Edge® MP1000 Multi-port Endoscopic Robotic Surgical System developed by Edge Medical, which was used for a live surgical demonstration.
Although robotic technology assists the procedure, operations continue to be performed by a multidisciplinary medical team consisting of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. The surgeon remains in full control of the robotic system through a dedicated console.
According to Dr. Mulyawan, the key advantages of robotic surgery include enhanced precision, superior visualization, and improved surgical decision-making, allowing many procedures to be completed in less than one hour.
"Compared with conventional surgery, robotic surgery offers much higher precision and clearer visualization, enabling surgeons to make more accurate decisions and achieve better outcomes. Many procedures can be completed in under an hour, including abdominal, thoracic, urological, and gynecological surgeries," he explained.
The hospital's first robotic procedures were successfully performed on elderly patients from Bali and Surabaya.
Looking ahead, Dr. Mulyawan said BIH plans to offer robotic-assisted surgery as a treatment option for eligible patients with similar conditions, with the goal of improving surgical success rates and expanding access to advanced medical technology.
Conclusion
BIH's successful introduction of robotic gastrointestinal surgery marks a significant advancement in Indonesia's healthcare sector, reinforcing the country's commitment to world-class medical innovation while positioning Bali as an emerging regional hub for advanced healthcare and medical tourism.
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