A decade of pioneering medical excellence reached a landmark milestone as Stellenbosch University (SU) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Sunskill Surgical Skills Training Centre. To usher in its next era, the Centre officially launched high-tech robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) training, cementing its status as a leader in healthcare innovation across Africa.
A Legacy of Excellence
Established in 2016 through a vital partnership with global healthcare technology leader Medtronic, Sunskill is housed within SU’s Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) in Cape Town. Over the past decade, the state-of-the-art facility has transformed clinical training across sub-Saharan Africa.
The Centre was built to offer a safe, realistic environment where healthcare practitioners can hone their skills before treating patients. To date, Sunskill’s impact includes:
- 10,000+ healthcare professionals trained.
- 800+ hands-on educational and training events hosted.
- Comprehensive multidisciplinary reach, training surgeons, nurses, clinical engineers, and critical care teams.
- Broad-spectrum mastery, spanning neurosurgery, keyhole techniques, micro-surgery, orthopaedics, emergency airway management, and post-specialist device adoption.
Reflecting on the milestone, Prof Karin Baatjes, Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching at SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), noted that Sunskill has grown into a world-class beacon attracting medical talent globally while continually elevating clinical outcomes across the continent.
Entering the Era of Robotics
The launch of robotic-assisted surgery training marks a major evolutionary leap for African healthcare. Sunskill will now provide specialized training on Medtronic’s Hugo RAS system—an advanced platform tailored for general, urological, and gynaecological surgeries.
Key capabilities of the Hugo RAS system include:
- Precision and Control: Articulated robotic arms enable surgeons to execute complex procedures with heightened dexterity.
- 3D Visualisation: High-definition, three-dimensional views give clinicians unprecedented clarity during operations.
- Open-Console Design: Encourages seamless, real-time communication among the entire operating theatre team.
- Modular Versatility: Adaptable architecture fits diverse surgical disciplines and space requirements.
Prof Ian Vlok, Director of Sunskill and Head of SU’s Division of Neurosurgery, highlighted that this integration ensures African surgeons gain hands-on exposure to modern surgery’s most transformative technology, equipping them with the confidence to deliver top-tier care.
Transforming Regional Healthcare
Surgical expertise does more than treat illness—it shortens hospital stays, reduces healthcare overhead, and saves lives. As FMHS Dean Prof Elmi Muller emphasized, surgery is a technical craft that demands relentless practice. Sunskill’s dual wet and dry laboratories bridge the gap between technical theory and clinical application.
As the Centre enters its second decade, the addition of robotic surgical training ensures that South Africa and the broader continent remain at the forefront of global medical advancements. Sunskill continues to shape the future of African medicine, ensuring that cutting-edge innovation ultimately translates to superior patient care.
