On October 30–31, 2025, the IV International Endovideosurgical Forum "At the Crossroads" was held in Minsk. For two days, Minsk turned into one of the major platforms for discussing current issues in modern surgery. Specialists from Belarus, Russia, China, and Kazakhstan gathered to exchange experiences, discuss new technologies and approaches, and assess the state of surgical services at various levels of the healthcare system.

 The Forum brought together over 400 specialists, including leading surgeons, medical university professors, representatives of research centers, and practicing physicians. The program featured 61 reports, with work carried out in the Plenary Session (watch the recording) and seven thematic sections.

The Chief Physician of the Republican Clinical Medical Center of the Presidential Administration, Deputy Chair of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on Education, Science, Culture and Social Development, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Irina Abelskaya emphasized that the idea to unite surgeons from different countries arose from practical necessity — to analyze existing problems, outline solutions, and build a more effective model for managing surgical care.

A distinctive feature of the Forum is the demonstration of live surgery. The day before the official opening, a precourse on laparoscopic gastric surgery was held, with masterclasses led by leading surgeons from Nanjing Medical University (China) under the guidance of Professor Xu Zequan. The Chinese specialists not only demonstrated complex operations for gastric cancer treatment but also provided detailed commentary on their actions, sharing experience and modern techniques with their Belarusian colleagues.

Professor Xu Zequan was awarded the title of Honorary Member of the International Endovideosurgical Forum during the Plenary Session.

"This format allows not only to see modern methods in action but also to discuss the nuances of managing patients with severe pathologies. It is a live professional school that inspires and sets a high standard," noted Irina Abelskaya.
The Forum became a platform for discussing the development of endovideosurgery at all levels of medical care. In Belarus, minimally invasive technologies are being actively implemented, allowing even the most complex operations to be performed in district centers. This significantly reduces patient recovery time and shortens the period of disability, which is especially important for a healthcare system focused on preserving labor resources.

Summing up, Irina Abelskaya emphasized:
"Each such congress brings new challenges and new tasks. As long as we work, as long as we are in the profession, we do not put a full stop. This is a long, interesting, and, most importantly, effective work for the benefit of our patients. Quality, accessibility, and safety are the three main principles on which the healthcare system is built."

For the first time within the Forum, a section for nursing staff was organized — recognizing their key role in postoperative care, ensuring sanitary safety, and complying with epidemiological standards. After all, a successful operation is only part of the treatment, and its outcome largely depends on proper care.
The Director of the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology, member of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic Oleg Rummo noted that robotic surgery is coming to Belarus. Significant results have already been achieved: the share of minimally invasive operations in the country has grown from 25% to 43%, and in some regions — up to 70%.

"This became possible thanks to the efforts of the entire healthcare system, including the Republican Scientific and Practical Centers, university clinics, and the Republican Clinical Medical Center. One of the newest Chinese surgical robots will arrive in the country as early as December. We are training specialists to make this technology available not only at the republican level but also at the regional level," he emphasized.
The Deputy Chief Physician of the Republican Clinical Medical Center of the Presidential Administration, Chief Surgeon of Minsk Region Yuri Slobodin noted that the fourth Forum went beyond the usual format:
"Instead of the traditional start with reports, we opened the event with a masterclass on laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery. This underlines the practical orientation of the Forum and our common goal — to provide patients with the highest quality medical care."


For the first time within the Forum, the Republican Surgical Simulation Championship was held, with young surgeons from all regions of the country participating. The championship included competitions in theoretical and manual skills. First place was won by the team from Mogilev region, second place with a minimal margin by Minsk region, and third by the team from Vitebsk region. The championship sparked lively interest among Forum participants from all regions of Belarus.



The Forum was organized by the Republican Clinical Medical Center of the Presidential Administration with the support of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus and the Belarusian Society for Simulation Training in Medicine.

Information will be updated