Doctor Robot – Straits Times October 2011

This magazine feature from The Straits Times, dated October 4, 2011, explores the increasing use of robotic surgical systems in Singaporean hospitals. The article highlights the advantages of this technology, such as greater precision and faster recovery times. It features several key surgeons who are pioneers in the field. Among them is Dr. Dean Koh, a colorectal surgeon and associate professor, who noted that his team began using the robot for colorectal surgery in 2009 and performed 20 to 30 such operations in the year prior to the article, with an expectation for that number to grow. The piece also extensively quotes another colorectal surgeon, Dr. Ng Khee Wee, who shares his positive experiences with the robot's enhanced 3-D vision and precision. Other featured doctors include Dr. Christopher Cheng, who was part of the first team to use the da Vinci robot in Singapore in 2003 for prostate cancer surgery, showcasing the technology's adoption across various specialties like urology, gynaecology, and colorectal surgery.