This week the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago (HOMS), Dominican Republic, opened the first robotic surgery institute in the Caribbean. Named after Dr. David Samadi, pioneer in robotic prostate surgery and member of the Fox News Medical A Team, the institute is sure to draw patients from throughout the continent.
Close to a million Americans a year now seek health care outside the U.S. Medical tourism is increasingly popular in the Caribbean for its high quality, cost savings of up to 75 percent, and of course, the unbeatable beautiful surroundings. ;
The Dominican Republic has long been a tourist destination known for its inexpensive plastic surgery and dental procedures. Now you can add the state-of-the-art Da Vinci robot, whose precision robotic arms allow surgeons to perform delicate procedures. Recovery with this kind of surgery is remarkable – you can get in and out of the hospital in a day.
Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina attended the opening of the new facility along with Dr. Raphael Sanchez Espanol, CEO of HOMS hospital and himself a renowned surgeon.
“You’re going to change the lives of many, many people out there and be part of the first robotic institute in the Caribbean,” said Dr. Samadi. “This is a huge blessing … for us to be part of this; we’re very proud.”
The institute will include treatment of prostate, kidney, gynecologic and surgical cases. Doctors operating in the Dominican Republic will now be able to use techniques developed by Dr. Samadi, who became the country’s first to treat prostate cancer as well as other delicate surgeries in a safer, more effective manner, with minimal blood loss.
“Big decisions have transformed into small decisions,” said Dr. Sanchez Espanol. “I like to say, with less trauma. The less trauma facilitates an amazing recovery.”
“This is a huge step in this country and it’s going to bring a lot of patients from the entire Caribbean to this hospital,” Dr. Samadi said.
And beyond the Caribbean. With more and more regulations and restrictions coming our way on American soil, many Americans may look elsewhere for their surgeries and the new David Samadi Robotic Institute could be another option.
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Dr. Marc Siegel, a practicing internist, joined FOX News Channel (FNC) as a contributor in 2008.
