UAE expands medical robotics to strengthen its AI-driven healthcare system

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is accelerating the adoption of medical robotics as part of its strategy to build a smarter and more resilient healthcare system, as reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a TV BRICS partner. Backed by advanced healthcare infrastructure and sustained investment in emerging technologies, the country is expanding the use of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) across a wide range of medical specialities to improve patient care and healthcare efficiency.

Medical robotics is becoming an integral part of healthcare delivery in the UAE, supporting procedures ranging from blood collection and minimally invasive surgery to cardiac interventions, joint replacement, remote diagnostics, pharmacy automation and rehabilitation.

Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly being used for minimally invasive procedures, enabling surgeons to perform complex operations through small incisions. The technology helps reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, post-operative pain and recovery time while lowering the risk of complications for suitable patients.

Artificial intelligence is also improving routine clinical procedures. AI-powered robotic blood collection systems use infrared imaging to create three-dimensional maps of patients' veins, including vessels that are difficult to detect with the naked eye. The technology identifies the optimal vein and needle depth within seconds, reducing pain and bruising while cutting patient waiting times by up to 50 per cent.

Orthopaedic surgery has also benefited from robotic innovation. Three-dimensional imaging combined with robotic navigation enables surgeons to perform joint replacement procedures with millimetre-level precision, while built-in safety mechanisms automatically prevent robotic instruments from moving beyond predefined operating boundaries, helping protect healthy tissue and ligaments.

Automation is also reshaping hospital pharmacy services. Robotic pharmacy systems manage medicine storage, monitor expiry dates and dispense prescriptions using electronic prescribing and barcode verification. Automated robotic arms retrieve medicines from smart storage facilities within seconds, reducing dispensing errors while improving the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical services, as reported by the source.