Moncton’s Georges Dumont Hospital now has a new surgical robot.

It’s thanks to more than $7 million raised by the CHU Dumont Foundation through its Driving Surgery Forward campaign.

That money has also helped the hospital digitize nine operating rooms.

Officials say more than 350 patients have benefited from this technology since February 2023.

Sébastien Dupuis, chair of the foundation’s board of directors, said when the campaign was launched in 2022, Nova Scotia was the only province east of Quebec to have a surgical robot.

“Our goal at the foundation was to bring this technology to the Dumont UHC, for the benefit of our patients, as well as to enhance the working conditions of healthcare professionals and facilitate recruitment of new surgeons,” said Dupuis.

“We also saw this large-scale project as an opportunity to expand collaboration between healthcare professionals, especially with The Moncton Hospital.’’

Victor Hachey was the first patient to undergo an operation involving the surgical robot on Feb. 1, 2023.

“Two months after my surgery, I went hiking in Arizona at an altitude of 6,000 feet with my wife and some friends. They had trouble keeping up with me,” said Hachey.

“Today, I have no pain and I’m in great shape. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Breault and the entire operating room team for their extraordinary care.”

Officials hope the new technology will enhance working conditions and help recruit new surgeons.