EXPERTS at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) are set to start performing brain surgery using advanced artificial intelligence and robotics technology known as brain neuro-navigation.

Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya, the MOI executive director, said at the 11th international conference of neurosurgery experts in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the development follows the acquisition of a state-of-the-art ‘Brain Lab’ valued at 2bn/-, donated by Weill Cornell University in the United States.

The technology will enable doctors to accurately identify problematic areas in the brain during surgery, improving precision and patient outcomes, as it reduces the need for patients to seek treatment abroad, he said.

“With this technology, 95 percent of brain, spine and nerve patients can now be successfully treated at MOI,” he affirmed, elaborating that the device will allow doctors to study critical details before surgery, equipping them with the necessary utilities to provide safer and more effective treatment.

MOI was pursuing research that is published in international journals, showcasing its capabilities and contribution to the global medical field, he said, underlining that these advancements were not possible in the past.

“Today, up to 95 percent of major surgeries are performed at MOI, making us the only independent institution in East and Central Africa offering this level of care,” he specified.

Prof. Roger Hartl, a Weill Cornell University consultant who received a special award from MOI for his contributions, pledged to maintain support for the institute through training and technical assistance.

The US institution has maintained a strong partnership with MOI for the past 16 years, significantly benefiting the country’s health sector, he said, while Dr Hamisi Shabani, the conference coordinator, said the partnership has also enabled Tanzanian doctors to pursue masters’ degrees in the US.

They have participated in an annual international brain surgery course aimed at improving medical efficiency, as the course is offered every year to enhance the skills of our doctors, particularly in brain surgery, he added.