An established journey. And one that continues.
South Africa has reached a significant milestone in robotic-assisted surgery with the arrival of the 20th da Vinci Surgical System in the country.
The milestone represents far more than a number. It reflects over a decade of da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery in South Africa, continued investment in advanced surgical technology and an increasingly established community of surgeons with expertise in robotic-assisted surgery.
Today, over 18,700 da Vinci robotic-assisted procedures have been performed in South Africa, with over 110 surgeons trained in da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery including local proctors in urology, colorectal and gynaecoloy
Over a decade of robotic-assisted surgery in South Africa
Over more than a decade, da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery has established a presence across South African healthcare, extending across healthcare facilities and a broad range of surgical specialties.
The da Vinci Surgical System enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures using a surgeon-controlled robotic platform, combining high-definition 3D vision with wristed instrumentation and technologies designed to enhance dexterity, control and precision during surgery.
Today, da Vinci technology supports procedures across a broad range of surgical specialties in South Africa, including urology, gynaecology, general surgery, colorectal surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and bariatric surgery.
These include procedures in urology such as prostatectomy, pyeloplasty cystectomy, partial nephrectomy, as well as colorectal colon and rectum resections and gynaecological procedures (benign and malignant hysterectomy, endometriosis and fibroids (myomectomy), general surgery (ventral hernias) demonstrating the breadth of applications for robotic-assisted surgery across different areas of surgical care.
This progress has been underpinned by investment in advanced surgical technology, together with surgeon training and the clinical and technical infrastructure required to support sustainable robotic-assisted surgery programmes.
Extending robotic-assisted surgery into public healthcare
An important chapter in South Africa’s da Vinci journey has been the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery into the public healthcare sector.
In 2021, da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems were introduced into the Western Cape public healthcare sector at two public hospitals, expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery beyond the private healthcare environment. In February 2022, South Africa’s first public-sector da Vinci robotic-assisted procedure was performed.
Since then, the two public-sector programmes have collectively performed over 1,600 robotic-assisted procedures, with the programmes expanding across colorectal surgery, urology and gynaecology.
The scope of robotic-assisted surgery within the public sector has also continued to advance. In 2025, South Africa’s first robotic living-donor nephrectomy was performed at Tygerberg Hospital, marking another development in the country’s public-sector robotic surgery programme. Groote Schuur Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital both offer the above-mentioned robotic procedures and more..
Together, these developments demonstrate increasing procedural capability and expertise within South Africa’s public healthcare system.
Building South African expertise
Alongside the expansion in systems and procedures has been an increasing focus on developing specialist skills locally.
In 2025, South Africa’s first Robotic-Assisted Surgery Training Centre was launched at the University of Pretoria through a collaboration between Intuitive Surgical, Medhold Medical and the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Veterinary Science.
The centre provides simulation-based and hands-on robotic-assisted surgery training using da Vinci technology, giving South African surgeons access to specialised training locally.
Local training capability is an important component of a sustainable robotic-assisted surgery ecosystem. Advanced technology is only one part of the equation; the skills of surgeons, surgical teams and those supporting robotic programmes are fundamental to what can be achieved with it.
A South African milestone within a global journey
South Africa’s 20 robotic-assisted system milestone forms part of a much larger global da Vinci story.
At the beginning of 2026, Intuitive announced that more than 20 million patients worldwide had undergone procedures using da Vinci surgical systems, with more than 3.1 million da Vinci procedures performed globally during 2025 alone. By September 2026, that global patient figure had exceeded 21 million.
Against that global backdrop, South Africa has established its own robotic-assisted surgery footprint -encompassing increasing procedure volumes, public-sector programmes, an experienced surgical community, local training infrastructure and now 20 da Vinci surgical systems in the country.
Experience behind the numbers
For Medhold Medical, the significance of 20 extends well beyond the systems themselves.
It can be seen in the robotic-assisted surgery programmes established across South African healthcare facilities, the expansion into public healthcare, the development of local training capability and the clinical expertise that has grown around the technology.
As the exclusive authorised distributor of da Vinci Surgical Systems in South Africa, Medhold supports healthcare facilities and surgical teams across the country in establishing and developing their robotic-assisted surgery programmes through clinical and technical training, service and ongoing support.
Together, these elements represent an established robotic-assisted surgery ecosystem in South Africa – one built around advanced technology, clinical expertise, education and support.
“Reaching 20 da Vinci systems is an incredibly meaningful milestone for robotic-assisted surgery in South Africa,” says Lebo Selloane, Business Unit Manager: Robotics Division at Medhold Medical. “For me, its significance lies in the people behind that number: the surgeons investing in their skills, the teams building sustainable programmes, and, above all, the patients whose lives we have positively impacted. Every procedure represents a person, a family and the hope of recovery. As our local expertise grows, so does the opportunity to bring robotic-assisted surgery to more patients. It has been a privilege to help shape this journey, and I am excited about what we can achieve next.”
The journey continues
South Africa’s 20th da Vinci Surgical System provides an opportunity to recognise how far robotic-assisted surgery has progressed locally – and to look ahead to what comes next.
Over more than a decade, the story has extended beyond technology alone. It now encompasses surgical expertise, public-sector access, specialist training, increasing procedure volumes and the infrastructure supporting robotic-assisted surgery across the country.
It is a story of experience, expertise and infrastructure – and a journey that continues.
20 Robotic Assisted Systems. More than a decade of progress. And a journey that continues.
da Vinci is proudly distributed in South Africa by Medhold Medical.
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Author: Tammy Wright from Danlee Digital Advertising Agency on behalf of Medhold Medical.
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