Morocco has successfully completed its inaugural year of robotic surgery, with the Oncorad Group pioneering 178 advanced procedures since May 27, 2024, primarily in urology, including over 100 prostate cancer surgeries. This milestone marks a transformative leap in the country’s healthcare system.
A groundbreaking highlight came in November 2024 when a Moroccan surgeon performed remote surgery on a patient in Shanghai, setting a world record for the longest-distance telesurgery at 12,000 kilometres. Another remote operation connected Casablanca and Tangier, showcasing Morocco’s cutting-edge capabilities.
Dr. Younes Ahalal, lead expert at Oncorad, remarked, “Within just a year, Morocco has joined the ranks of global pioneers in robotic surgery—work once confined to the world’s tech giants.”
Oncorad has complemented surgical advances with extensive training programs and workshops across specialties, participating in major medical conferences in Marrakech, Bordeaux, and Thailand. Founded in 2000, Oncorad operates centres in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier, focusing on high-tech healthcare solutions such as AI-assisted imaging and precision radiotherapy.
The group plans to broaden robotic surgery access nationwide, aiming to establish Morocco as a regional hub for medical innovation.
Beyond Oncorad, robotic surgery infrastructure is expanding: Agadir’s public hospital uses South Korea’s Revo-I system, while Casablanca’s private AKDITAL network operates multiple Da Vinci Xi robots for minimally invasive surgeries across various disciplines.
The Moroccan health ministry plans to equip all major university hospitals with robotic surgery systems. Although procedures remain costly (around MAD 80,000) and largely paid out-of-pocket due to limited insurance coverage, discussions on reimbursement and public rollout are underway.
Remote surgery holds promise for improving care in rural areas. In May 2025, a successful remote operation was conducted on a patient in Laâyoune by a surgeon in Casablanca, heralding improved access to advanced care outside urban centres.
Training local surgeons is a top priority, with Moroccan teams rapidly gaining expertise after initial guidance from international and diaspora experts. The government, private sector, and medical bodies aim to mainstream robotic surgery by 2030, positioning Morocco as a future regional leader in surgical innovation.
