The surgeons who can operate from anywhere in the world
While robotic surgery has been possible for several years, the equipment has been prohibitively expensive for many parts of the world and requires specialist training to use. But what if specialists could just dial in to an operation from a phone or tablet?
The current pandemic has revealed how much our healthcare services rely on physical human . Many surgeries have been cancelled to try to stop Covid-19 from spreading, creating considerable physical, mental and economic consequences for patients, hospitals and societies.
In response, robots have been deployed where possible, conducting specialised surgeries that allow surgeons to stay at a safe distance, and even helping with communicating to patients. This trend – of machines reshaping medicine – is one that experts expect to continue.
But Nadine Hachach-Haram had been thinking about problems in surgery long before Covid-19 came along. As a child in war-torn Lebanon, she witnessed first-hand the devastating effect that inequality in surgical care could have.
Today, five billion people across the globe still lack access to safe surgery. More people die from this than from HIV, malaria and TB combined.
In response, Hachach-Haram has created a technology that allows surgeons to virtually scrub into any operating theatre around the world, just by using a tablet or computer. It has already been put to good use, helping a very special patient. Watch the video above or on BBC Reel to find out more.
* Video by Enclave Films. Text by Harriet Constable.
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CHANGE AGENTS
We know the world has to change for humanity to thrive. But what are the most promising solutions that could provide the kind of transformation we need? In a world adjusting to the recent global pandemic, Change Agents examines innovations and technologies that could make our planet a better, healthier place to live.
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