CSMC launches modern, affordable robotics medicine
Published Jun 2, 2026 09:04 am
(From left) Dr. Alfred Allen E. Buenafe – Chairman, Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery Institute, Dr. Antonito S. Say – SVP & Chief Medical Officer, Raul C. Pagdanganan – CSMC President & CEO, Rafael Fernando - Managing Director and SVP IdsMED Philippines, Jason Wong – Robotics Regional Director, IDS Medical Systems Inc., Neil Wang – Sales Manager, SEA Shenzen Edge Medical Co. LTD during the inaugural ceremonies. IDSMED is one of the largest integrated healthcare solutions providers in Asia.
Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) reshapes the Philippine Operating Room (OR) landscape with its acquisition of a new state-of-the-art multi-port robotics system that is affordable.
Consistent with its thrust to close the gap between innovative medicine and patient accessibility, the hospital’s new Robotics Surgical System targets a wider segment of specialized surgical requirements.
"Advanced healthcare should not just exist for those who can easily afford it; it must be reachable," CSMC President and CEO Raul C. Pagdanganan said during the inauguration, taking aim at the prohibitive nature of specialized medical treatment across the country.
A key component of the initiative are the 40 pioneering robotics-certified multi-specialty doctors who have undergone extensive training to handle and operate the new technology. They have been primed to handle cases from simple to complex surgical requirements in the fields of Urology, Hepatic and Pancreatic, Thoracic, Gynecology, and Gastroenterology.
According to Pagdanganan, the investment in robotic systems is being positioned not as a premium luxury but as an aggressive long-term strategy to drive down overall healthcare costs. “By utilizing robotic precision to drastically shorten hospital stays, minimize surgical trauma, and reduce post-operative complications, we aim to create a more affordable, sustainable value chain healthcare for ordinary Filipino families over time.”
On the same occasion, hospital officials underscored that Innovation only becomes truly impactful when placed in the hands of passionate and highly skilled healthcare professionals. They stressed that technology enhances care, but compassion, judgment, and the trust between doctor and patient will always define healing.
The new robotics technology is expected to enhance OR coordination, integrate various equipment and technology, and simplify procedures that require multiple instruments, thereby optimizing workflow and minimizing delays. It is expected to elevate the standard of care while bringing down the patients’ burden in accessing high-quality treatment and care.
For CSMC, the new robotics surgery system is a pivotal opportunity to realize its three-pronged goal to excellence enshrined in its motto of “Human Skill. Robotic Precision and Cardinal Care.”