Robotic surgery in India gains footprint

New Delhi As the Indian healthcare sector embraces robotics surgery in a big way, the availability of a variety of surgical robots from multiple vendors and an increasing number of trained doctors and commitment to investing in surgical robots by government and corporate hospitals are increasing its footprint across the country, says Dr Mahendra Bhandari, CEO of US-based Vattikuti Foundation and a robotic surgery evangelist.

Nearly 20 years after Escorts Heart Institute (now known as Fortis Escorts Heart Institute), a Delhi-based hospital, ushered in a pathbreaking procedure that employed robotic assistance for complex heart surgery, robotic surgery has not only increased its footprint manifold but also promises to grow at a rapid pace.

“Surgical robots are now being applied to newer medical specialties like joint replacement and heart conditions like the coronary artery bypass grafting,” Dr Bhandari told IANS.