Tanda doctors successfully perform robotic surgery

In a landmark medical achievement, Himachal Pradesh’s first robotic gallbladder surgery was successfully performed on Saturday by doctors at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (DRPGMC), Tanda, marking a major leap in the state’s healthcare technology.

The procedure was carried out on a 26-year-old woman from Shahpur, Kangra district, suffering from gallbladder stones. The operation was led by Dr Mahender Rana, a laparoscopic and robotic surgeon trained at AIIMS Delhi, assisted by Dr Varsha and Dr Aryan from the Department of Anaesthesia.

Dr Milap Sharma, Principal of the Medical College, and Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Head of the Surgery Department, congratulated the surgical team for this milestone, describing it as a reflection of the institution’s technical excellence and forward-looking approach in modern medicine.

Tanda Medical College recently became the second government medical institution in Himachal Pradesh to establish a robotic surgery facility, inaugurated last month by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

“This is the first robotic gallbladder surgery in Himachal Pradesh and our team performed it independently without any external expert assistance,” said Dr Rana. He added that robotic surgery allows for minimally invasive procedures with greater precision, less blood loss and quicker recovery times. The team now plans to expand into more advanced robotic operations soon.

Deputy Chief Whip and Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania hailed the achievement as a proud moment for the state, noting that the first robotic surgery performed by a Himachali surgeon showcased the state’s growing medical capabilities. “Under the leadership of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, healthcare services are progressing rapidly despite limited resources,” he said.