SHIMLA: Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) is set to significantly expand the scope of robotic surgery across its medical departments. Until now, the advanced technology was limited to the General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynaecology departments. However, the hospital administration has begun preparations to train specialist doctors from various other disciplines to ensure high-tech treatment is available to patients within the state.
According to the hospital management, rather than keeping robotic surgery confined to just one or two departments, doctors will be trained in a phased manner. This step aims to ensure that complex surgeries across multiple specialties can be conducted using robotic assistance whenever required.
Previously, robotic surgery operations were introduced at the Chamiana hospital campus. IGMC doctors initially had to travel to the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties in Chamiana for training, as the main campus lacked the necessary robotic equipment. With the installation of a state-of-the-art robotic surgical system directly on the IGMC campus, full training facilities are now available in-house. This will allow doctors to undergo regular practical hands-on experience.
The decision to scale up comes after the General Surgery and Gynaecology departments successfully performed several operations using the robotic system. Encouraged by these positive outcomes, the administration decided to broaden its reach.
Hospital officials highlighted that as more doctors get trained, the availability of advanced surgical procedures will increase statewide. This initiative is expected to directly benefit patients who previously had to travel to major medical centres in Chandigarh or Delhi for complex surgical interventions.
Boosts Affordable Healthcare with Robotic Surgery Across Government Hospitals
The Himachal Pradesh government has rolled out robotic surgery facilities across major state-run medical colleges, offering advanced surgical care at a fraction of private hospital costs to make modern, high-tech healthcare accessible and affordable for the general public.
The initiative stems from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s personal experience, having undergone robotic surgery few years ago. Following his recovery, the Chief Minister decided to bring the cutting-edge technology to the state’s public healthcare framework.
The state’s first robotic surgery was successfully performed at the Chamiana Hospital in Shimla. The facility has since been expanded to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla, Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda, and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College in Nerchowk.
While private hospitals typically charge up to ₹3 lakh for robotic procedures, state-run facilities in Himachal Pradesh are offering the same treatment for between ₹30,000 and ₹50,000. The advanced technology ensures patients experience less pain, minimal blood loss, and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods.
To further elevate state healthcare infrastructure to AIIMS-level standards, the Himachal Pradesh government is investing nearly ₹3,000 crore into modernizing medical facilities across the state.
