The Oncorad group, a player in the prevention and treatment of cancer, invited Maroc Diplomatique to a press conference held on June 5, 2024 in Casablanca. This meeting was an opportunity to present recent revolutionary breakthroughs in health. By unveiling its latest acquisition, the cutting-edge surgical robot “Toumaï”, Oncorad marks a major turning point in the Moroccan medical landscape. Professor Redouane Semlali, CEO of Oncorad, testifies to the group’s unwavering commitment: “It is essential that Moroccan fiber is present, and it is necessary that we have our robot. That’s why we started prospecting until we realized this vision. »
We are entering a new era in Morocco. The Oncorad group, specializing in cancer prevention and treatment, has been working in the field of robotic surgery for around ten years. New perspectives are now offered to the Moroccan medical landscape, which will undoubtedly be transformed. “We are meeting today to discuss a project which took the longest to deploy, out of desire but also due to a lack of existing solutions,” underlines Professor Redouane Semlali.
We worked hard on the business model because it was necessary to introduce a robot not for photography, but for operating on patients. Costs had to be reduced. The economy begins by controlling the cost of the machine, the consumable and of course, by achieving an acceptable economic model.
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Concerning the future of robotic surgery in Morocco, Professor Semlali specifies: “ We often hear about who will perform the first operation or treat the first patient, and who will acquire the first robot. This is not the subject, nor the objective. We will be happy if robotic surgery becomes routine for the Moroccan citizen.“
The group’s choice fell on technology accessible to patients. The robot did not arrive alone. He was accompanied by a team of foreign experts, engineers and operators responsible for its installation. A laborious and highly precise process, followed by a crucial step: training doctors and paramedics in handling the robotic surgical system. This technology has several advantages, both for the patient and for the surgical team. For the patient, it considerably reduces post-operative pain, allows rapid discharge from the hospital, short hospital stays and above all a much faster return to activity.
In addition, the economic model of this medical technique was designed by Oncorad so as not to represent an excessive financial burden for patients. The cost of this technique is slightly higher than that of traditional surgery, but remains much lower than what is charged in European countries. “We also ensured that the economic model of this technique is not an obstacle for the Moroccan patient,” explains Professor Semlali.
The group has achieved a breakthrough: the extraction of the prostate without opening the patient’s abdomen, an unprecedented feat. This success illustrates Oncorad’s commitment to innovate in the field of health in Morocco. Through this innovative method, patients benefit from accelerated recovery, reflecting the group’s determination to revolutionize the healthcare sector in the country.
