Jakarta, INTI - Bali International Hospital (BIH) has marked a historic milestone in Indonesia's healthcare sector by successfully performing the country's first series of robot-assisted gastrointestinal surgeries. The achievement represents a major step forward in the adoption of minimally invasive robotic surgery and reinforces Indonesia's progress in advanced medical technology.
The first robotic procedure was performed on June 29, 2026, by I Made Mulyawan, a digestive surgery consultant at BIH. He successfully carried out a robot-assisted cholecystectomy, a gallbladder removal procedure using a robotic surgical system. According to the hospital, it was the first robotic gastrointestinal surgery performed in Bali and Eastern Indonesia.
The following day, Iswanto Sucandy, a digestive surgeon at BIH who also practices in the United States, completed a combined robot-assisted cholecystectomy and adrenalectomy in a single operation. BIH said the dual robotic procedure was the first of its kind in Indonesia.
Both procedures were conducted as part of the Bali Robotic Surgery Symposium, an academic forum that brought together surgeons, gastroenterologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to discuss advances in robotic surgery while showcasing live surgical demonstrations.
President Director and CEO of BIH, Noel Yeo, emphasized that the achievement goes beyond demonstrating cutting-edge technology.
"The success of these robotic procedures marks an important milestone for Bali International Hospital, the Sanur Health Special Economic Zone, and Indonesia's healthcare ecosystem. It highlights the importance of international collaboration, clinical education, and technology transfer in strengthening the country's healthcare capabilities," he said.
Robotic Surgery Enhances Precision and Patient Outcomes
According to BIH, robotic-assisted surgery provides high-definition three-dimensional visualization, greater instrument flexibility, and improved surgical precision compared with conventional techniques.
For patients who meet the appropriate medical criteria, robotic procedures may offer several advantages, including smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
The operations were made possible through collaboration between BIH, idsMED Indonesia, and Edge Medical, which introduced the Edge® MP1000 Multi-port Endoscopic Robotic Surgical System used during the live surgical demonstrations.
Prof. Iswanto Sucandy said robotic technology is transforming the way complex gastrointestinal procedures are performed.
"This technology provides greater flexibility, precision, and control, enabling surgeons to perform safer procedures, improve clinical outcomes, and deliver higher-quality patient care," he explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. I Made Mulyawan noted that the introduction of robotic surgery in Bali also creates new opportunities for Indonesian surgeons to strengthen their expertise through international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Through this achievement, BIH aims to accelerate the adoption of robotic surgical technologies across Indonesia while reinforcing Bali's position as an emerging healthcare and medical tourism destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
Conclusion
Bali International Hospital's successful implementation of Indonesia's first robot-assisted gastrointestinal surgeries marks a significant milestone in the country's digital health transformation. By combining advanced robotic technology, international collaboration, and clinical expertise, the initiative is expected to accelerate the adoption of minimally invasive surgery while strengthening Indonesia's position as a regional hub for advanced healthcare and medical tourism.
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