Hyderabad, Aug 3 — Setting a new benchmark for public healthcare institutions across India, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad has achieved a milestone of 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries in less than three years, the Telangana government said on Monday.
The landmark reflects its commitment to making advanced healthcare accessible to all and represents a revolutionary advancement in public healthcare, making world-class robotic surgery accessible to patients who previously could not afford such cutting-edge treatment, the government said.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who is the President of Governing Council of NIMS, commended NIMS Director and the Senior Professor of Urology & Renal Transplantation, and Robotic Surgery Coordinator, Dr Rahul Devraj, along with the Departments of Urology, Surgical Gastroenterology, Surgical Oncology, Anaesthesiology, Nursing Services, Operation Theatre staff, and all supporting departments for their exceptional dedication, teamwork, and commitment in accomplishing this historic feat.
The Chief Minister described this achievement as a transformative moment in public healthcare, bringing world-class robotic surgery within the reach of patients who could never have otherwise afforded such advanced treatment.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), he noted that the milestone is a testament to NIMS' unwavering pursuit of excellence, innovation, and equitable healthcare delivery.
By integrating cutting-edge robotic technology into routine clinical practice, NIMS has enhanced surgical precision, reduced postoperative pain and blood loss, shortened hospital stays, and enabled faster recovery.
Of the 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries, 590 were performed by the Department of Urology, 248 by Surgical Gastroenterology, and 162 by Surgical Oncology, covering a wide spectrum of complex urological, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal, gynaecological, and oncological procedures.
Over 90 per cent of these surgeries were provided completely free of cost under government-supported healthcare schemes, including Aarogyasri and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), ensuring that state-of-the-art robotic surgical care reaches economically disadvantaged patients and reaffirming the Telangana government's commitment to affordable, world-class healthcare for every citizen.
Urology contributed 590 surgeries across various age groups, ranging from 1 year to more than 80 years old. Surgeries performed include highly complex procedures such as cancer surgeries like radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, complex robotic renal transplantation surgeries, urogynecological procedures, uro-reconstructive procedures like Boari flap, ureteric reimplantation, pyeloplasties, including paediatric pyeloplasty, and other advanced reconstructive surgeries.
Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha congratulated all the doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff at NIMS who have achieved this rare milestone. "As a testament to our government's resolve to bring advanced medical services within the reach of the people, it is heartening that more than 90 per cent of these robotic surgeries have been provided free of cost through the Aarogyasri and CMRF schemes. Ensuring world-class medical services for every citizen is the goal of the Telangana government," he said.