CM launches robotic surgery facility at Chamiyana hospital

Robotic surgery was started at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties at Chamiyana in Shimla district today. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the state’s first robotic surgery facility and witnessed the first operation performed using the advanced technology.

The Chief Minister reviewed the functioning of the hospital at a meeting with the staff and assured them of full support in strengthening the institute. He announced that new departments would be created, lab technicians and dialysis technicians would be recruited and allocated Rs 11 crore for the construction of a hostel. A high-end 3-Tesla MRI machine would also be installed at the hospital soon. Sukhu also announced Rs 23 crore for setting up an in-house automated laboratory at Chamiyana.

He recalled his own robotic surgery five years ago and said, “That was the seed of an idea and today it has become a reality. With this facility, cutting-edge medical care will now be accessible even to common people. Soon, robotic surgery facilities will be introduced in a phased manner in the IGMC, Shimla, and medical colleges at Nerchowk, Tanda and Hamirpur.”

Sukhu said that the government was investing over Rs 3,000 crore on modern healthcare technology, replacing outdated machines, including the 20-year-old MRI machine at the IGMC, Shimla. He added that the health sector reforms remained the top priority of the government and there was no shortage of funds for the purpose.

He said, “After over 23 years, the government has also increased seats in technician courses. At the IGMC, seats for B.Sc (Medical Laboratory Technology), B.Sc (Radiology and Imaging) and B.Sc (Anesthesia and OT Technology) have been raised from 10 to 50.” He added, “At Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, seats in these courses have been increased from 18 to 50 to enable the youth to get training within the state. Automated in-house labs will also be set up at Tanda, Nerchowk, Hamirpur, Nahan and Chamba medical colleges.”

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a paperless lab at the Chamiyana hospital, which became the first government hospital in the state to offer patients online reports. Patients would receive all their reports on their mobile phones, while doctors would be able to access them directly on their systems. Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil described the occasion as a revolutionary leap in the state’s healthcare sector and said that the state would soon set an example for other states in delivering high-quality medical services.

A team comprising Dr Anant Kumar, Dr Pamposh Raina and Dr Pawan Kaundal conducted the first robotic surgery on a Shimla resident, who was suffering from a prostate-related ailment. The procedure was completed in three hours. According to doctors, the patient is expected to be discharged within three or four days. The discharge period in normal surgery is eight to 10 days. Robotic surgery uses highly advanced robotic arms that filter out natural hand tremors, allowing surgeons to make fine and steady movements. It also helps in improved accuracy when working near delicate structures like nerves and blood vessels.