PENANG needs greater focus on healthcare innovation, talent development and collaboration, says state local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye.
He said advanced healthcare could improve patient care while also driving economic growth, research, innovation and talent development.
“As our population continues to age and healthcare needs become increasingly complex, we must continue embracing innovation that enables healthcare professionals to deliver safer, more effective and personalised care.
“Robotic-assisted surgery is one such advancement that is transforming modern surgical practice.
“However, innovation is never achieved by technology alone.
“It is driven by our surgeons here today who continually refine their skills, the nurses and allied health professionals who provide holistic care, the researchers who push the boundaries of medical science and the institutions that invest in education and lifelong learning,” he said at the second Surgical Symposium on Advanced Robotic Technology (SSMART 2026) in Juru.
Organised by Sunway Medical Centre, the symposium themed ‘Collaborative Intelligence: Humans and Robots Together’ was attended by medical professionals from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and other neighbouring countries who discussed robotic and minimally invasive surgery.
H’ng said initiatives such as SSMART were important in promoting knowledge exchange, multidisciplinary collaboration and professional development.
“Beyond showcasing advancements in robotic-assisted surgery, this symposium creates a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, multidisciplinary collaboration and professional development.
“It enables healthcare professionals to learn from one another, share best practices and build partnerships that will ultimately translate into better patient care.”
More than 350 robotic-assisted surgery cases have been performed across various specialties at Sunway Medical Centre Penang, which also completed its first robotic spine surgery on Jan 29.
Organising chairman Dr Ann Teoh Ai Yean said robotic technology should complement rather than replace surgeons.
“Robotic systems can provide precision, consistency, enhanced dexterity and excellent visualisation.
“But surgeons bring something fundamentally different: clinical judgement, experience, adaptability, decision-making and empathy.
“Technology can enhance what we do. It cannot replace why we do it,” she said.
Sunway Medical Centre Penang chief executive officer Christine Lee said the more than 350 cases and first robotic spine surgery were important milestones, but technology alone does not define the success of robotic surgery.
“Behind every successful procedure is a strong multidisciplinary team, including our surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, allied health professionals and support teams.
“Their expertise, teamwork and dedication remain at the heart of every successful patient outcome,” she said.
According to the Statistics Department, 13.7% of Penang’s population is aged 60 and above in 2026, compared with 12.3% nationally.
