A surgical robot unit is now being used at Moncton’s Georges L. Dumont University Hospital Centre.

Réjean Després, vice-chair of the CHU Dumont Foundation, told Moncton City Council that at least 14 surgeries have already been performed by using the new state-of-the-art technology.

“To attract talent to our city, it’s important for the recruitment and retention of doctors.”

Després said surgeries are less invasive when using this new technology, particularly when it comes to the two most prevalent cancers in our region.

“There is five times less blood loss for a uterine cancer surgery and in the case of prostate cancer, we’re talking about the difference between maintaining functional reproductive organs and not.”

The surgical robot will be available to surgeons at both the Dumont and Moncton Hospitals.

In the near future, Després noted how using the robot will mean a doctor in Toronto will be able to perform a surgery on a patient in Moncton without being here in-person.

The CHU Dumont Foundation has requested a $1.5 million dollar grant from the City of Moncton toward the $6.5 million dollar project.