Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia's healthcare sector is entering a new era of innovation. Siloam International Hospitals hosted the Siloam Robotic Summit 2026, themed Transforming Surgery Through Robotics: Advancing Precision Across Surgical Disciplines, as part of its efforts to accelerate the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery while strengthening the capabilities of healthcare professionals nationwide.

The summit brought together more than 30 surgeons, medical specialists, academics, and healthcare technology experts from Indonesia and abroad, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, clinical collaboration, and the development of a sustainable robotic surgery ecosystem.

The Ministry of Health's Director of Referral Healthcare Development, Dr. Yanti Herman, reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding robotic surgery services as part of Indonesia's broader healthcare transformation agenda.

According to Dr. Yanti, robotic-assisted surgery offers significant benefits, including greater surgical precision, lower infection risks, and shorter hospital stays.

"We are preparing national standards covering medical equipment, workforce competencies, and governance for robotic surgery services. The Ministry of Health is also encouraging referral hospitals to expand robotic surgery capabilities so Indonesians can access world-class healthcare without traveling abroad," she said.

She added that the development of robotic healthcare services is also part of the government's strategy to strengthen Indonesia's medical tourism industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

Hospitals with specialized medical services will eventually be promoted as healthcare destinations for both domestic and international patients.

Building More Than Robotic Technology

Siloam International Hospitals President Director David Utama said robotic surgery is a central component of the group's healthcare transformation strategy over the next five years.

He noted that Indonesia loses an estimated Rp170 trillion in foreign exchange annually as many patients continue seeking treatment overseas, despite the growing capabilities of local hospitals to manage complex medical cases, including cancer treatment at MRCCC Siloam Semanggi.

"Siloam aims to become part of Indonesia's healthcare transformation. We are not only introducing robotic technology but also building the 'hospital of the future' powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is expected to be completed this year," David said.

To support this transformation, Siloam has allocated nearly Rp1 trillion in capital expenditure (CAPEX).

Seven Robotic Systems Across Four Indonesian Cities

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Grace Frelita explained that over the past year Siloam has established one of Indonesia's most comprehensive robotic surgery ecosystems.

The hospital group currently operates seven robotic surgical systems across Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and Makassar, supporting orthopedic, urology, digestive surgery, neurology, and other specialties.

According to Dr. Grace, the greatest beneficiaries of robotic technology are patients.

Smaller surgical incisions, reduced pain, lower infection risks, and significantly faster recovery times allow patients to return to normal activities sooner.

"Looking ahead, many procedures can be performed as one-day surgeries, enabling working-age patients to recover more quickly without extended hospital stays," she said.

International clinical studies also demonstrate the advantages of the da Vinci Xi robotic platform, including reducing hospital stays by nearly two days, lowering postoperative complications by 44%, decreasing 30-day mortality by 46%, and reducing the likelihood of open surgery by 56% compared with conventional procedures.

Clinical Data Demonstrates Positive Outcomes

Beyond international evidence, Siloam has also generated encouraging results from its own clinical evaluations.

Through the Siloam Knee Arthroplasty Registry, the hospital compared robot-assisted knee replacement procedures with conventional surgery across four Siloam hospitals.

Both approaches recorded zero 30-day readmissions and zero postoperative infections, demonstrating comparable safety outcomes.

However, patients undergoing robotic surgery recovered more quickly, with an average hospital stay of 4.5 days, compared with 6.2 days for conventional procedures.

The robotic procedures also consistently achieved planned joint alignment targets, resulting in greater surgical precision.

As part of its long-term strategy, Siloam Hospitals Kebon Jeruk is being developed into a Center of Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery, serving as a national center for patient care, education, research, and multidisciplinary robotic surgery development.

Executive Director Inge Samadi said the hospital currently operates three robotic systems supported by around 20 certified robotic surgeons.

Since introducing the da Vinci Xi system in 2025, the hospital has performed more than 100 robotic-assisted procedures, covering orthopedic, urology, digestive, and gynecological surgeries, including hysterectomies, cyst removal, and fibroid treatment.

"Minimally invasive techniques significantly reduce pain, lower infection risks, shorten hospital stays, and ultimately improve patients' quality of life," she explained.

Meanwhile, Siloam International Hospitals CEO Caroline Riady emphasized that the company's investment extends beyond advanced technology to include people, clinical governance, research, and continuous learning.

"Over the past year, we have built an ecosystem that ensures robotic surgery delivers real clinical benefits for patients. We believe healthcare transformation happens when innovation is implemented responsibly and consistently produces better clinical outcomes," Caroline said.

Through the continued expansion of its robotic surgery ecosystem, Siloam aims to provide more Indonesians with internationally recognized healthcare services at home, reduce the need for overseas medical treatment, and strengthen Indonesia's position as a leading medical tourism destination in the region.

Conclusion

Siloam International Hospitals is accelerating the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery to improve clinical outcomes and expand access to world-class healthcare in Indonesia. Supported by government initiatives, AI integration, and continued investment in medical technology and talent, the initiative aims to reduce overseas medical treatment while positioning Indonesia as a leading medical tourism destination in the region.

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