Debrecen4U March 27, 2026

Another Robot-assisted Surgical System Enters Service at University of Debrecen

With the new surgical console and robotic arm installed, yet another high-tech device has entered service at the University of Debrecen’s Clinical Centre. Launched in 2024, the Debrecen initiative was the first and remains one of the most successful among 15 programmes initiated across nine neighbouring countries. Initially, the technology was applied in three fields: general surgery, urology, and gynaecology.

In the first year alone, 200 operations were performed, rising to 420 in 2025, reaching the system’s full capacity. Thanks to the latest expansion, robot-assisted procedures are now also available in additional specialties, including thoracic, head, and neck surgery.

Alongside the continuation of existing oncological procedures in gynaecology, urology, and surgery, the expansion has significantly increased capacity. As stated by Dezső Tóth, Director of the Surgical Clinic, robot-assisted care for patients at the Clinical Centre is no longer a privilege but has become a standard form of treatment in Debrecen.

György Kossa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Count István Tisza Foundation for the University of Debrecen, highlighted that the development strengthens not only patient care but also medical education. The Clinical Centre serves simultaneously as a healthcare institution, a knowledge hub, and an innovation centre, where future doctors can work with the most advanced technologies. He noted that robotic surgery enables doctors to perform complex procedures with greater precision, reduced invasiveness, and increased safety. The technology lowers the risk of complications, ensures faster recovery, and offers new hope to many patients.

Robot-assisted surgery in Hungary was introduced in 2022 and has been developing rapidly ever since. Within a year, the number of procedures tripled, and between 2023 and 2025 it more than doubled. Currently, seven publicly funded robotic surgical systems operate across six centres, with around seventy trained robotic surgeons working in the field.

As Zita Szondi, Deputy Director General for Healthcare Services at the National Hospital Directorate General, stated, these systems have quickly demonstrated that the combination of professional excellence, high-level expertise, and modern technology can bring real, high-quality progress in patient care.

According to László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, the developments are backed by a long-term strategy. The city is building its future on knowledge, innovation, and cooperation, with the university playing a key role.

He emphasised that the University of Debrecen is a strategic partner in this work, and that a strong alliance exists between the city and the institution. In recent years, the university has become a knowledge centre that simultaneously serves healthcare, education, and research—an integrated approach that represents a forward-looking model for Debrecen.

With the newly inaugurated equipment, two robot-assisted surgical systems are now in operation at the University of Debrecen, a unique achievement at national level.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu