Ukraine is moving forward with plans to establish its first dedicated robotic surgery research and training centre, with Chinese partners expected to supply five surgical systems and help train Ukrainian medical specialists. The project was a central topic during a Ukrainian delegation's working visit to China, where officials discussed the introduction of advanced surgical technologies, medical training and cooperation in high-tech healthcare. The delegation included Deputy Health Minister Hennadii Nersesian, parliamentary health committee chairman Mykhailo Radutskyi, Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi, representatives of Ukraine's medical universities and senior specialists from the Ministry of Health's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Centre.
The planned facility will be established at the Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Centre, combining specialised surgical treatment with clinical training, scientific research and international cooperation. Its technological foundation will consist of five SR2000 robotic surgical systems, supplied with the involvement of Chinese partners. The cooperation will also cover equipment installation, training for surgeons and technical personnel, maintenance and research support.
Ukraine's Shupyk National Healthcare University will participate in developing the educational component, helping establish a structured training programme for medical professionals working with robotic surgical equipment. The initiative is intended to create a national centre of expertise that could eventually support the introduction of robotic surgery in other Ukrainian hospitals.
Deputy Health Minister Nersesian said the partnership would give Ukrainian doctors greater access to modern surgical technologies and opportunities to acquire practical experience. He described the proposed centre as an important step towards expanding specialised medical care, strengthening professional training and making advanced treatment more accessible to Ukrainian patients.
Robotic surgical systems allow surgeons to control instruments with greater precision during complex procedures. Depending on the operation and clinical circumstances, minimally invasive robotic techniques can reduce tissue trauma and shorten recovery periods.
During the visit, Ukrainian officials also attended the CMEF 2026 international medical technology exhibition, met representatives of Chinese medical equipment manufacturers and visited specialised research and training facilities. Discussions focused on the practical use of robotic surgical systems, hospital technology upgrades and methods of preparing healthcare professionals to operate and maintain advanced equipment.
The project is being developed under a memorandum of cooperation involving Ukraine's Ministry of Health, the parliamentary committee on public health, the Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Centre, Shupyk National Healthcare University and Chinese medical robotics company Suzhou Kangduo Robot Co., Ltd.
The visit was organised with the assistance of Ukraine's embassy in China. Although the planned supply of five robotic systems has been announced, Ukrainian authorities have not yet specified when the equipment will be delivered or when the centre is expected to begin operations.
