Connaught Hospital will provide free minimally invasive chest surgeries from Sept. 1 to 4, 2026, hospital officials said, expanding access to specialised care for eligible patients.

The programme will focus on thoracoscopic procedures, commonly performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which allows surgeons to operate inside the chest through small incisions.

Hospital authorities said the effort is part of ongoing measures to improve access to advanced surgical services, particularly for patients who may not afford such procedures.

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Hospital Care Manager Dr Ibrahim Mark Kapuwa, who is leading the programme, said the intervention is aimed at strengthening the delivery of specialised healthcare services.

Thoracoscopic surgery is widely used in thoracic surgery to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the lungs and other chest organs. In suitable cases, it can reduce recovery time and minimise surgical trauma compared with open surgery.

Officials said the four-day programme will create an opportunity for patients requiring thoracic surgical care to receive treatment without financial burden.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact Connaught Hospital for information on eligibility, screening and registration ahead of the programme.